Metro’s RTP contains a $20 billion list of transportation projects.(Photo © J. Maus) This morning, Metro’s Joint Policy Advisory Committee on Transportation voted 14-3 in support of the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP). Portland Mayor Sam Adams had an amendment to the plan rejected 11-5 and was one of the three “no” votes. The RTP contains … Read more
Metro is getting heat for their transportation plan.(Photo © J. Maus) Metro’s update to the 2035 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) — which will guide $20 billion of investments in our regional transportation infrastructure over the next 25 years — is coming under fire from advocacy groups, Portland Mayor Sam Adams, and others. Among Metro’s stated … Read more
A $38 million project focused on N/NE Portland could bring a cycle track to N. Williams.(Photo © J. Maus) Metro has selected four active transportation projects to include in a grant application for possible funding through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s $1.5 billion Transportation Investments Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program. The four projects, with an … Read more
A sample route on byCycle.org. Someday, you’ll be able to type two addresses into your computer and get customized directions for traveling between them — by bike. The addresses could be in the same city, or across the country. You could choose between different kinds of routes, or find out how to transfer to the … Read more
TriMet requested (and received) $1 million in federal stimulus funds to build secure bike parking facilities (like the one shown above) at their Beaverton and Sunset Transit Centers.(Drawing: Steve Durrant/Alta Planning + Design)
The Springwater Corridor Trail will get some much-needed TLC this summer.(Map of project boundaries courtesy of the City of Portland)
Bike boulevard infrastructure, like this bike turn median in Southeast Portland, will get a major funding boost thanks to a Metro committee.(Photo © J. Maus) Yesterday was a big day for Metro and for non-motorized transportation advocates around the region. Between decisions on how to spend funds from the federal stimulus package (I’ll report on … Read more
(Lots of talk about stimulus funds around here lately. Hope you’re staying with me). The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) may get the largest chunk of federal stimulus money (about $232 million last time I checked), but Metro also gets a piece of the pie — $38 million to be exact. That’s a much smaller … Read more
The CCC’s retail location on NE Alberta.(Photo © J. Maus) The northeast Portland-based Community Cycling Center has won a grant for a project to help them “understand cultural and economic barriers to bicycling.” According to a statement from the CCC, the project will help them perform a needs assessment to better understand the “unique cultural … Read more
Chair of the Oregon Transportation Commission, Gail Achterman, is in the driver’s seat on how our statespends its federal stimulus money.(Photos © J. Maus) The Oregon Transportation Commission (OTC) is meeting this morning in Salem to discuss which infrastructure projects will get built with money from America’s recently passed economic stimulus plan. The OTC is … Read more
Below is a press release sent out yesterday by Metro. I have just received the actual resolution and list of projects and I might do another story about it on the Front Page soon. For now… Regional leaders unite to send strong message on federal transportation priorities The Joint Policy Advisory Committee on Transportation (JPACT) … Read more
*[UPDATE: I have edited this story to clarify that the bike tax is not, at this time, a part of Governor Kulongoski’s Jobs and Transportation Act.] The BTA’s Karl Rohde (in red) says he supports the concept of a bike tax.(Photo J. Maus) Both Metro and the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) are supportive of an … Read more