External speakers will warn people that bus is turning.(Photo © J. Maus) TriMet has begun testing an audible warning system that will notify people when a bus is turning. Here’s how TriMet explains it in a statement released last night: “Ten buses have been equipped with the external audible warning system. When the operator turns … Read more
Last week we broke the news that the Oregon Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (a governor-appointed committee that advises ODOT on biking and walking issues and projects) planned to make an official request to TriMet that the new Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Bridge be named after Don Stathos, father of the 1971 Oregon Bike Bill. Today … Read more
TriMet architect Bob Hastings presented the idea last night.(Photos © J. Maus) As part of the public art planned along their Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail project, TriMet is considering something quite interesting for the new Willamette River Bridge — a “sonic bike path.” TriMet architect Bob Hastings and Public Art Program Manager Mary Priester presented the … Read more
Earlier this month, TriMet — in a last-ditch effort to fill the local funding gap in their $1.5 billion Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail project — put in a request for a 10-year, $19 million funding commitment from the State of Oregon. Artist rendering of Portland-Milwaukie light rail line. The request raised serious concerns with transportation officials … Read more
“We strongly urge that the state look to other sources for funding this vital project.” — BTA’s Rob Sadowsky in a letter to the Oregon Transportation Commission Last week we shared the news that TriMet is making a major funding request for ODOT’s $21 million pot of Federal Flexible Funds. The request is for a … Read more
This just in from TriMet: Starting February 2nd, bicycle traffic will face a detour at the south end of the Eastbank Esplande for “preconstruction work” on the forthcoming Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail bridge over the Willamette River. The detour is between SE Clay and Caruthers and is scheduled to be in place through February 11th. Here’s … Read more
Hoping to find the final 1% of funding for their $1.49 billion Portland-Milwaukie light rail project, TriMet has set their sights on small pot of ODOT Flexible Funds set aside for non-highway projects. TriMet has requested $1.93 million for the next ten years and they plan to bond against that money. In total, the transit … Read more
TriMet’s lead bike planner, Colin Maher, is slated for an upcoming seminar at PSU’s Center for Transportation Studies. The topic is “Beyond the Bike Hook: Linking Bicycles and Transit.” Maher’s a smart guy so this should be quite informative. Details are below:
At about 2:20 this afternoon, a woman attempting to cross E Burnside on SE 181st Avenue was hit by a MAX train. The woman remained conscious at the scene and sustained non life-threatening injuries (a possible broken leg). According TriMet spokesperson Bekki Witt, they believe the woman on the bicycle was heading southbound when she … Read more
[Note: This story was originally published with an outdated bridge graphic. The one below is more current.] Concept drawing of the bike/walkway on the new, carfree bridge TriMet will build over the Willamette.
Conceptual design drawing (not final design!) of new Gateway Transit Center Bike & Ride facility.(Image by Dero Racks, taken from PBOT grant application)
Listen to the audio below. It’s from a communique between a TriMet bus operator and the emergency dispatcher. It was posted to YouTube via TriMet’s infamous multimedia expert/employee Al Marguiles: