I find it very interesting that a politically motivated bicycle plan that potentially reduces family wage auto industry jobs in favor of subsidizing bicycle fanatics took precedence over the Freight Master Plan designed to preserve and create jobs. I also wonder how curb extensions fit into the Freight Master Plan in that curb extensions restrict truck movements, create unnecessary congestion, require motorists (including trucks) to use more fuel and only have a negative effect on air quality adding to global warming.

Lenny who often speaks for the businesses on Swan Island, including freight haulers, likes curb extensions. He has also has made suggestions that include removing center lines and narrowing streets, and slowing traffic down to 20 mph in business districts.

Maybe with the Freight Master Plan, all of his ideas can be adopted as an experiment on Swan Island, the business district he represents. All streets on the island could be reduced to two lane thoroughfares with one narrow ten foot wide lane in each direction and the center line removed. Curb extensions would then be installed at all Swan Island intersections. The posted speed would be 20 mph to slow down the big rigs down and make the island more pedestrian friendly.. North Going Street between the island and Interstate Avenue could receive the same treatment allowing for main street type development to occur on each side.

Personally, I do not recommend this type of street reconstruction experiment. However, the experiment is currently taking place all over Portland and using scarce transportation dollars to create what I call artificial congestion. Sandy Boulevard is the next victim street in line to receive the treatment. Confining such street modifications (often called improvements by supporters) to the isolated area of Swan Island, where the spokesperson supports such traffic calming extremes, is a far more wise use of the public