Metro transportation trend report shows biking bright spots, but also red flags for key goals
Slides from presentation on Metro’s Emerging Transportation Trends Study.
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Regional leaders greenlight $129 million for I-5 Rose Quarter project
We’re at that awkward stage in a highway mega-project when the agency in charge is under a cloud of controversy and still (after years of planning) doesn’t have an official endorsement to start construction, but still wants money to keep the project moving forward. Of course I’m talking about the Oregon Department of Transportation and … Read more
After delay, Metro again faces vote that pits Safe Routes money against highways
Metro continues to consider an increase in money for road widening rather than for safety improvements near schools.
East Portland will receive $8 million for active transportation
Riding in east Portland can only get better.(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland) The Portland Bureau of Transportation (and TriMet) is set to invest $8.2 million into sidewalks, neighborhood greenways and transit-safety related projects in East Portland. The funding comes from a $34 million “Regional Economic Opportunity Fund” created by a Metro committee last year. In case … Read more
Metro votes against maintaining 75/25 funding split for Active Transportation
“… In a deep recession, people who are struggling — in addition to buses and bike paths — also need access to a job.”— Ann Lininger, Clackamas County Commissioner A 17-member Metro committee made up of mayors, commissioners, and transportation agency leaders around the region voted this morning to do away with a 75/25 federal … Read more
BTA fights as Metro funding battle brews once again
“It is unacceptable to the BTA to consider overturning our current policy… The Port [of Portland]… wants this money for highway/road projects. Now is the time to say no.”— Gerik Kransky, BTA A funding fight is brewing at Metro over how the regional planning agency should allocate nearly $38 million in federal funds. Unlike the … Read more
Blumenauer warns regional transpo leaders about lack of vision, strategy
Blumenauer: Come together. Right now.(Photo © J. Maus) United States Congressman Earl Blumenauer spoke during a rare appearance at an influential Metro committee last week, doling out some tough love over the groups’ inability to come together around a regional vision for transportation investments. It was a rare showing of straight talk that speaks to … Read more
Metro task force agrees to take “light rail model” in active transportation funding decisions
A Metro task force wants to emulate success of light rail corridors in making decisions about active transportation funding.(Photo © J. Maus) A Metro task force put together to decide how the agency’s Joint Policy Advisory Committee on Transportation (JPACT) should spend $23 million in federal “flexible” funds, has agreed that the money set aside … Read more
Metro unveils task force that will help recommend $24 million in projects
Metro has unveiled the list of “regional experts” that will sit on a task force to make recommendations on how the agency should dole out about $24 million in federal transportation dollars. Back in July, there was a heated debate at Metro’s Joint Policy Advisory Committee on Transportation over how best to divide up those … Read more
Metro’s JPACT votes for 75/25 split in favor of active transportation
JPACT Chair Carlotta Collette at this morning’s meeting.(Photos © J. Maus) Metro’s Joint Policy Advisory Committee on Transportation (JPACT) met this morning to set policy parameters on how to allocate $20-24 million in federal Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Plan dollars (MTIP) — also known as Regional Flexible Funds. After some tense discussion, the committee split 7-6 … Read more