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
(NOTE: ODOT now says biking and walking will be permitted over the bridge, through the construction zone during the closure. Read our full update at the end of this post.) Traffic on the St. Johns Bridge.(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland) The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) announced a three week closure of the St. Johns Bridge … Read more
ODOT installed 16 sharrows on the St Johns Bridge Saturday.(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland) On Saturday night, the Oregon Department of Transportation installed sharrows and new signs on the St. Johns Bridge. Their “St. Johns Bridge Safety Awareness Project” was done in order to, “encourage motorists to be aware that the bridge and roadway is a … Read more
Sharrows, signage on the way.(Photo © J. Maus) Back in February, we reported that the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) was considering a slate of changes to the St. Johns Bridge with an eye toward making bicycle travel safer and more pleasant. Now those plans have been confirmed. In what they’re calling their “St. Johns … Read more
A visitor finds that even the sidewalk isn’t that nice to ride on.(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland) [Editor’s note: I am excited to publish the first reader story submitted through our new Share Your Story page. Please keep the submissions coming! — JM (currently in Siesta Key, Florida ;-))] This story was submitted by Peter Herreid … Read more
Bikes welcome here?(Google streetview) ODOT Region 1 Manager Jason Tell says a recent collision has led to an internal assessment of bike safety on the St. Johns Bridge and he has directed his staff to do something about it. In a phone call today, Tell said ODOT will install new signs on the bridge to … Read more
A sign on the St. Johns Bridge.(Photos © J. Maus) UPDATED, at 9:55am on 2/11 Just before 6:30 pm tonight, Portland Police officers responded to a collision on the St. Johns Bridge. According to their report, a 23-year-old man was riding his bike and a 58-year-old man driving a small pick were involved in a … Read more
I got a surprising phone call yesterday from ODOT regional manager Charles Sciscione. He was responding to my post back on June 15th titled, St. Johns Bridge still unsafe after 75 years. I wrote that post out of frustration that ODOT was celebrating the 75 year anniversary of the bridge by touting the recent renovation … Read more
Sorry, just kidding. But just for fun’s sake, I’d like to share these doctored photos sent in by City of Vancouver transportation planner and bicycle advocacy renaissance man Todd Boulanger (click to enlarge):
[We need more than a sign.] As part of an ongoing protest against how cyclists got shafted on the St. Johns Bridge last year, a group of “ciclonudistas” is rallying the troops for their second annual naked protest ride (here’s a report from last year). A little background: Last year, the Oregon Department of Transportation … Read more
[Hardly “better” access.] Noticed an article in the Oregonian yesterday about the upcoming 75th anniversary of the St. Johns Bridge in North Portland. Given the controversial recent history of this bridge, one paragraph jumped out at me: “In 2005, the Oregon Department of Transportation spent nearly $43 million to complete a major overhaul of the … Read more
Last night I heard a presentation by Matt Garrett, Region Manager for ODOT. He came to the PSU Traffic and Transportation class to give an overview of how ODOT fits into the transportation picture. As someone who is concerned about bike safety, and the livability of our cities, it was very unsettling to listen to … Read more
This weekend is the official re-opening celebration of the St. Johns Bridge (Sat 11-11, Sun 11-6)…but it will be hard for many in the bike community to celebrate. As you may recall, the folks at the Oregon Dept. of Transportation (ODOT) decided to provide zero bike facilities on the bridge. This was despite the input … Read more
Comment of the Week: Gratitude for N/NE Broadway project