Note: I'm currently on a family trip and not working normal hours. Email and message responses will be delayed and story and posting volumes here and on our social media accounts will not be at their usual levels until I return to Portland September 4th. Thanks for your patience and understanding. - Jonathan Maus, BikePortland Publisher and Editor
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
Two Metro councilors — Kathryn Harrington and Robert Liberty — traveled to Washington D.C. yesterday to accept a National Award for Smart Growth Achievement from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Metro was one of five communities to be recognized. They received the award in the “Policies, Programs, and Regulations” category specifically for their 2009 Making … Read more
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
Map credit: Metro Metro finalized an agreement yesterday that will allow them to secure the required easement rights to extend the Springwater Corridor Trail. The agreement will close more than half of the existing “Sellwood Gap” south of SE Tacoma Street. According to a Metro press release, they reached an agreement with Oregon Pacific Railroad … Read more
This just in from Metro: Metro seeks applicants for four citizen seats on influential transportation committee Metro’s Transportation Policy Alternatives Committee (TPAC) is seeking citizens interested in transportation issues to serve on the panel starting January 2011. There are four citizen positions up for appointment: Three are two-year terms and one is a one-year position … Read more
A $20,000 RTO grant helped the City of Tigard update their bike map.(Photo © J. Maus) Metro’s Regional Travel Options program is now accepting applications. RTO grants, which come from federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funds are a popular source of funding for projects that reduce single-occupancy vehicle travel, improve air quality, and, … Read more
Bragdon was an active supporter of active transportation projects and initiatives.(Photos © J. Maus) [via The Oregonian] Metro announced this morning that Council President David Bragdon has been hired as Sustainability Director for New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Here’s a snip from a statement just released by Metro: “Beginning in mid-September, Bragdon will serve … Read more
Metro has announced that $533,000 of Regional Travel Options grants are now available. This program has funded all sorts of great stuff in the past. See full details in press release below: Metro grants available to improve air quality, address community health issues Wondering how to install bike lockers in your community? Interested in creating … Read more
Detail map of easements Metro has purchased.
As part of their ongoing Drive Less/Save More campaign, Metro has produced a new video to demonstrate how to cross the I-5 bridge. Here’s their blurb about it: The bridge does pose some challenges like narrow paths, curving railings and traffic noise. The video provides riders with important knowledge of the bridge. It gives you … Read more
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
Tomorrow’s meeting will likely be packed as the fate of $24 million hangs in the balance.(Photo © J. Maus) Active transportation advocates will be listening closely to Metro’s 17-member Joint Policy Advisory Committee on Transportation (JPACT) when they meet tomorrow morning. Based on proposals currently on the table, JPACT’s vote on how to set parameters … Read more
Comment of the Week: Gratitude for N/NE Broadway project