CommissionerSam.com - Transportation

Making a great bridge, even with an airport

Sam Adams — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 09:41:29 -0700

As The Oregonian noted today, in building a new bridge across the Columbia River that will serve as a gateway between two states and two cities, I am serious about making that bridge something to behold.

It ought to embody everything that our region is and wants to be--ecologically sound, multi-modal and beautiful.

So what could that look like, in spite of air and navigation constraints? Well, PORT's Jeff Jahn sent me to his posting on just what that could look like.

This one stands out, but there are other great inspirations. What do you think?

Downtown Construction Update

The Office — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 15:47:52 -0700

Compared to last summer, the summer of 2008 is shaping up to be a tad more relaxed when it comes to construction impacts downtown. The Portland mall project reached a big milestone on June 30 when the final reach of roadway reconstruction and rail installation was finished. This completed the phase called "heavy civil construction," and from now until mid-November crews will be working on activities with a lot less impact on traffic. They will sometimes need to close sidewalks, parking or travel lanes as they finish sidewalks and stations, set and paint poles and streetlights, and install new traffic signals.

Both SW 6th and SW 5th avenues are now open to traffic from one end of downtown to the other, with space for on-street parking. TriMet will close both streets between Taylor and Washington this Saturday, July 19, for a giant Street Fair to mark the progress of light rail construction. You are invited to join in celebrating the transformation of the transit mall into a vibrant and inviting place! From 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., the celebration promises lots of family fun, with music and merriment, performances of all kinds, food and face-painting, and sidewalk sales.

The one major traffic impact of the Mall project this summer is that the Steel Bridge remains closed to motorists and buses through August. The closure is necessary while crews connect the new MAX tracks to the existing MAX system on the bridge. Access for walkers and cyclists is being maintained on the lower deck and intermittently on the south side of the upper deck.

The Portland Mall has been the biggest -- but by no means the only -- construction project downtown for the past couple of years. A slew of other public works projects to replace the central city's aging infrastructure, plus private investment of nearly a half-billion dollars, meant at times last summer it felt like much of downtown was under construction.

This summer, while there are still several downtown towers going up and a new park to be completed, most public works projects, other than the Mall, have wrapped up and are out of the way. There is one major downtown sewer repair project underway, but most of the work will be done inside the sewers, at night, and won't require excavation.

Come on downtown and see for yourself: with all the new businesses that have opened and stores that have expanded, downtown is more fun than ever. Take TriMet for a hassle-free trip, or check online for traffic impacts before you drive, at Keep Portland Moving!

Go behind the (transportation) scenes

The Office — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:25:58 -0700

The Portland Bureau of Transportation is organizing a Maintenance Field Day inviting folks to get an up close and personal look at the kind of work they do in the field.

Join them on September 9th to watching crews perform the kind of meaningful work that keeps our transportation system in shaping a livable city.

They are asking those interested to take a few moments to answer a short questionnaire so they can get a better idea on your interest.

Click here to take the survey.

A bridge, yes, but only the right bridge

Sam Adams — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:21:23 -0700

A bridge, yes, but only the right bridge

Wednesday, July 09, 2008 The Oregonian

"In My Opinon" Commissioner Sam Adams

"Interstate 5 stretches 1,382 miles from Mexico to Canada with just one drawbridge, antiquated and unsafe, along its route. That drawbridge is the span you cross today over the Columbia River.

We need a replacement. But it must be the right kind of new bridge. It must be a bridge Portland can be proud of in terms of design, construction, funding and operations. It must:

Reduce automobile reliance. The new crossing must permanently reduce vehicle miles traveled, which is Oregon's primary source of greenhouse gas emissions. We need congestion-priced electronic tolling on both the new I-5 and existing I-205 bridges paired with new options such as light rail. Tolls should be collected in perpetuity, in part to help fund needed improvements south of the bridge on I-5 and I-205.

Produce new federal transportation funding. This project is designated one of six national "Corridors of the Future." That means new federal funding for the region that will not compete against our other local transportation funding requests. Given Portland's $431 million transportation maintenance and safety backlog, this assurance is essential.

Inspire a green, "postcard-worthy" design. This should be the world's most environmentally friendly bridge in design, construction and operation. Any bridge is an icon, and this one must aesthetically enhance the world-class grandeur of the Columbia River and Mount Hood. And it must be sensitive to its neighbors by helping knit together the two halves of Hayden Island and downtown Vancouver.

Be built with local hands. This will be the largest public works project in the region, ever. Portland is the nation's leading incubator of sustainable design and technologies, making local firms well prepared to meet project expectations. Local companies, including emerging small businesses, minority- and women-owned firms, should earn as much work as possible.

The Portland City Council's vote today is not the ultimate or final "yes" to begin building the new bridge. Approval today will only move the bridge project proposal from one phase of evaluation to the next. It will simply establish the assumption for the next phase of study that the existing bridge will be replaced with no more travel lanes than exist today and that it must include an expansion of light rail.

I thank the governors of Oregon and Washington, each state's congressional delegation and local stakeholders for being responsive so far to Portland's concerns and goals for this project. I appreciate the assurance these decision-makers have provided us that Portland's concerns for planning the remainder of the project details will be addressed to our satisfaction.

But to avoid any surprises in the future, let me be crystal clear at this milestone: I will strongly oppose a final Columbia River Crossing project proposal that fails to address Portland's goals. I would rather miss this round of federal funding and live with the challenges and vulnerabilities of the current bridge for the next 10 or 20 years than build a bad bridge that would punish Portland for perhaps another 100 years. "

Sam Adams is a Portland city commissioner and mayor-elect

Click for Oregonian article

Thousands Stroll, Spin at Sunday Parkways

Shoshanah Oppenheim — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:57:32 -0700

As many as 15,000 Portlanders and neighbors to the region said farewell to foul car fumes a route through North Portland streets at Sunday Parkways, an event where six miles of city streets were closed to vehicles. Walkers, cyclists, joggers, and skaters all came out to enjoy the summer sun. Families were out too, free to enjoy some exercise with their little ones without having to worry about traffic.

Dance groups, DJs, food vendors, pick-up games, child health educators, and many more great activities and entertainers were dispersed throughout four local parks from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.. Sponsors and grants covered the cost of increased police supervision and intersection regulation. Many of those enjoying themselves at Sunday Parkways expressed optimism that there will be more events for their communities to get together in the future.

Media Mentions:

Oregonian June 23, 2008

Making Division Street a Main Street for Southeast

Shoshanah Oppenheim — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 11:58:12 -0700

Division Street Storefront: Open for BusinesssA new phase is beginning in the life of one of Southeast Portland's most storied streets. The Green Street / Main Street Project will continue to examine ways of increasing the livability and economic vitality of the SE Division corridor. Between SE Sixth and SE 39th Avenues, a consortium made up of interests from the Office of Transportation, the Bureau of Planning, private industry, and members of the community. This grup will look at ways of improving the quality of Division Street itself, and of the surrounding neighborhood, in order to make it feel more like a main street, and not just another busy road.

Some of the significant benefits of the second phase of design include: repaving those sections of Division that are in disrepair, improved stormwater management and creation of green streetscapes, design development of the Seven Corners intersection, and looking at ways of better integrating Division with transportation choices made on nearby Clinton and Lincoln Streets.

Please attend the next public meeting:

Phase II Begins Kick-off Meeting
Thursday, June 26, 2008
7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Carvlin Hall, St. Philip Neri Church
(SE 16th and Division)

Nationally, Gas Prices Rise, Mass Transit Ridership Up

The Office — Tue, 13 May 2008 09:52:31 -0700

As transportation commissioner, Sam responds to the developing demands of constituent commuters by expanding mass transit and alternative transportation options. This is especially important as gas prices keep rising and Americans, nation-wide, consider alternatives to car-commuting. Check out this NBC news story for a broader perspective on the issue.

Why the Flanders Crossing will Save Lives, Save Money and Save Our Environment.

Sam Adams — Wed, 07 May 2008 10:56:38 -0700

During the political season some can feel pressured to make inaccurate or misleading statements for perceived gain, and regrettably the current season is no exception. Many inaccuracies have been uttered about the proposed new crossing at NW Flanders Street over Interstate 405 that would reuse the center span of the existing Sauvie Island Bridge. This is a terrific project as the facts clarify.

The Sauvie Island Span Moves to NW Flanders
On Wednesday, April 23 Commissioners Leonard, Saltzman, and I co-sponsored an ordinance that would direct the City to purchase the center span of the bridge currently connecting Highway 30 to Sauvie Island and relocate it to Flanders Street in Northwest Portland. When completed, this new connection between Portland's two most densely populated neighborhoods will save lives, money, and the environment.

An Easy Decision Compared to Others
As the city's transportation commissioner, I am pleased to support such a far-sighted project. Overseeing transportation in Portland is not a task for those who lack clarity in direction or detail. It's a difficult job that combines high public expectations with limited financial resources that are declining in real value everyday. On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the most difficult decision I make for transportation, reusing the Sauvie span rates a 3.

Priority #1 is Safety
Knowing that expectations dramatically exceed dollars available, I prioritize projects that will save lives. That's why in 2006 I asked Transportation to identify the city's 25 most dangerous corridors and intersections and what could be done to improve their safety. Moving east to west, intersections on 122nd Avenue, 82nd Avenue/Foster Boulevard and West Burnside have the greatest number of crashes.

The Push for New Funding at City Council
That same year we held Transportation's first Safety Summit with the public. Together we prioritized locations for fixes and developed a detailed project list. I took that list to my council colleagues and secured $13 million from the city's general fund. Historically transportation has not received general fund dollars. But council supported my request because we demonstrated the needs were great, alternative funding sources were non-existent, and we had a detailed, transparent project plan approved by neighborhood and business associations that we could execute right away.

East Portland Arterials Come First
Given the concentration of high-crash corridors and intersections in East Portland, it's no surprise that we directed 76% of dollars earmarked for safety improvements there.

West Burnside Corridor is Next
As the data directed, we then turned our sights on West Burnside. Within the last month, some have made a point to dismiss the need for safety improvements in the West Burnside corridor. Apparently for some, the facts don't matter. And the facts are clear.

West Burnside kills.

As recently as October 11, 2007 the unsafe conditions of West Burnside took the life of Tracey Sparling, a 19-year old student traveling by bicycle from her apartment in Goose Hollow to her classes at the Pacific Northwest College of Art in the Pearl District. A cement truck, operating apparently in accordance with the law, ran over her at the corner of SW 14th Avenue and Burnside. She was in the bike lane. The driver never saw her.

It doesn't surprise me that facts are ignored or skewed for perceived gain during the political season. But it does dishearten me that community leaders would tolerate this tragedy by attacking a special opportunity with a uniquely wide range of attributes to improve the street environment. Tracey's plight only personalized for me what the data already show: poor bicycle and pedestrian conditions needlessly jeopardize the safety of those who travel by any mode between Northwest and the Pearl, the city's two greatest concentrations of people.

The Legal Requirement for Bicycles and Pedestrians
West Burnside's dangers immediately became clear when Transportation began to study reconstruction options for the Burnside/Couch corridor. When reconstruction occurs, state law compels the City to provide for bicyclists and pedestrians. I quote from the Oregon Department of Transportation:

"ORS 366.514, aka the bike bill, was passed by the Oregon Legislature in 1971. It requires the inclusion of facilities for pedestrians and bicyclists wherever a road, street or highway is built or rebuilt. It applies to ODOT, cities and counties. It also requires ODOT, cities and counties to spend reasonable amounts of their share of the state highway fund on facilities for pedestrians and bicyclists. These facilities must be located within the right-of-way of public roads, streets or highways open to motor vehicle traffic. The funds cannot be spent on trails in parks or other areas outside of a road, street or highway right-of-way."

Genesis of the Flanders Crossing
In 2002, the Burnside/Couch stakeholder advisory committee debated the best way to meet this obligation while accommodating the other goals for Burnside/Couch. Improving the safety of pedestrians crossing Burnside was their top priority, followed by wider sidewalks on Burnside and on-street parking. The group came to consensus there wasn't sufficient room to accommodate bikes in the Burnside/Couch corridor. The Bicycle Transportation Alliance made a proposal: they would cede the legal right to bike lanes on Burnside and Couch in exchange for the City designating Flanders a "bicycle boulevard" (a street designed to minimize but not eliminate motor vehicle traffic) and building a new 405 crossing at Flanders.

The Current Council Affirmed Support Three Times
City council, including Mayor Potter, has affirmed its support for the Flanders crossing three times: when it approved the Burnside/Couch proposal in 2007, when it approved the crossing as part of the list of priority projects eligible for Transportation System Development charges in 2007, and again in 2007 when it approved the study to test the feasibility of moving the Sauvie center span to Flanders over 405. The previous council also supported the Flanders crossing when it voted for the couplet in 2002.

A Correction to Potter's Assertion
On April 19, 2008 Mayor Potter issued a press statement from more than 6000 miles away while traveling in China to blast the council majority's decision to move forward with the Sauvie center span at Flanders. Potter doesn't support the move because "This bridge will give the Pearl District three overpasses in a three-block span. And while one accident is one accident too many, the N.W. Flanders site is not on PDOT's list of dangerous intersections for either autos, bikes, or pedestrians."

As a review of the Burnside to Glisan crash data map reveals, Potter has identified precisely why Flanders was chosen as a bicycle boulevard. Flanders is the safest reasonable alternative to bike lanes on Burnside and Couch and substandard facilities on Everett and Glisan. A bridge at Davis would be unduly complicated by an on/off-ramps between I-405 and NW 14th Avenue. Everett and Glisan are intended to serve, and do serve, concentrations of motor vehicles at higher speeds between the two neighborhoods as well as access points to and from I-405. The data shows these have been high-crash corridors.

Each Existing Crossing is Dangerous
Burnside, Couch, Everett, and Glisan all provide sidewalks of sub-standard width on just one side of the street due to the collection of ramps connecting to I-405. Even with one substandard sidewalk per side, a pedestrian must avoid motor vehicles traveling at high speeds to or from the freeway. It's intuitively dangerous, and the data confirms that.

Why the Sauvie Span at Flanders
With the need for the Flanders crossing addressed, the remaining question is whether reuse of the Sauvie Island center span is a good fit for Flanders. I base my decision on value and values. Would reuse be a good use of taxpayer money at the projected $5.5 million? And would reuse be consistent with Portland's expectations for itself?

In both instances, reuse comes out ahead of any alternate scenario. Much has been made of the original low-confidence estimate that a brand new span would cost the city $3.5 million. We need to explore that number in greater detail.

$3.5 million represents a low-cost estimate for a 15-foot wide design-unfriendly span that was under contract for construction today. It does not account for real-world provisions like the cost of inflation. Prior to the opportunity to relocate the Sauvie center span, Transportation originally had planned to see the new span built as part of Burnside/Couch reconstruction. Planners estimate the project will break ground in 5 years. Construction costs in transportation have been inflating at a rate of 5% annually. Thus a span estimated in low confidence to cost $3.5 million today would be projected to cost $4,375,000 in 2013.

A new span at 15 feet of width is inferior to the Sauvie's 30 feet of width. Not addressing real world constraints, a new 30-foot span today would be projected in low confidence to cost $7 million. (There is no bulk discount in bridges.) But more realistically, the bridge would more likely be built five years out at a projected cost of $8,750,000.

The Utility of 30 feet in Width for Non-Motorized Uses
Some suggest 30 feet in width for non-motorized uses is extravagant. An analysis of high volume corridors suggests existing widths that vary between 10 feet (Hawthorne Bridge) and 15 feet (Eastbank Esplanade) are inadequate to handle peak travel. Transportation projects 2000 daily crossings between Northwest and the Pearl District, the city's two densest neighborhoods. Bicycle ridership has risen steadily in the last 10 years and risen dramatically in the last 5 years. A 30-foot crossing should better accommodate demand for decades to come.

Funding Sources and Constraints
The Sauvie center span move is projected to cost $5.5 million. Sources are:
• $2 million in Transportation System Development Charges;
• $2 million in River District Urban Renewal funding;
• $1 million in Transportation Enhancement funds from the Oregon Department of Transportation;
• $500,000 from the Safe, Sound & Green Streets program; and
• Private contributions.

Some have suggested these funding sources could be redirected to other parts of town. SDCs must be used to enhance capacity, but otherwise do not have geographic constraints. Growth in the Northwest District has generated $4.3 million in SDCs but Transportation has spent just $740,000 in SDCs there. River District URA funding must be spent within the geographic boundary. ODOT's Transportation Enhancement funds are available only for projects that "enhance cultural, aesthetic or environmental values in the transportation corridor." Routine transportation improvements, like basic sidewalk development, are not eligible for TE funds. As mentioned, the Northwest District targeted the Flanders crossing as its highest priority, which is why it's included in the Safe, Sound & Green program. And finally, it's the specific opportunity to reuse the Sauvie center span at Flanders that has encouraged private citizens to seek private fundraising.

These are the reasons I support the Flanders Crossing. I know that when the facts are available to Portlanders they support strong decisions that make our city safer. This project will save lives, save money and help each Portander do our part to save the environment.

Sam

Related Documents

11 Million in PDOT One Time General Fund Safety Projects

Portland's Most Dangerous Corridors

Facts on Flanders Crossing

Ordinance

Bicyclist Wins in Commuting Race with Car!

The Office — Fri, 02 May 2008 14:35:12 -0700

Commissioner Adams was at City Hall to congratulate Rob Widmer of Widmer Brothers Brewing who crossed the finish line Thursday five minutes ahead of his brother, Kurt, who drove.

The event, a Bicycle Commuter Challenge, kicked off National Bike Month by showcasing the efficiency of riding your bike to work instead of commuting by car. Two paths from the Cadillac Cafe in Northeast Portland to City Hall on SW 4th Avenue were traveled by bicyclists. Rob arrived after 16 minutes of following the same route as Kurt, who traveled by car and arrived after 21 minutes, while Kim Seymour, of David Evans and Associates, biked along the NE Tillamook bike boulevard and the Eastbank Esplanade, a low-traffic route, arriving just 2 minutes later than Kurt.

As Transportation Commissioner, Sam is continually seeking new ways to provide transportation options to his constituents. He is enthusiastic to report that bicycling is not only an afforable, environmentally beneficial, and increasingly safer form of commuting, but also just as quick, if not quicker, as commuting by car!

Check out these articles that were posted on Oregon Live:

[Widmer Brothers Start Bike Month]

[Rob Widmer and Bicycle Win]

Portland Goes Platinum!

Shoshanah Oppenheim — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:58:55 -0700

Symbol of our success!The Portland Office of Transportation (PDOT) and its bicycle community partners earned Portland the “Platinum” Level Bicycle Friendly Community award from the League of American Bicyclists. The coveted "Platinum” designation of “Bicycle Friendly Community,” recognizes those communities that have quality conditions for bicyclists and cycling safety. Portland is the first large U.S. city to gain the designation and joins Davis, California, as the only other Platinum city in the country.

“When Portland received the Gold award in 2003,” said Andy Clarke, President of the League, “we challenged the community to increase ridership to get to Platinum. Bold leadership, community-wide involvement, and a lot of hard work have resulted in a 144% increase in bicycle use since the 2000 Census – impressive results by any standard.”

The League’s reviewers noted that Portland has coupled modestWeather is no barrrier in Portland when you want to ride. but smart investments in infrastructure, with outstanding education, promotion, and encouragement activities to make cycling a practical and safe option for many more Portlanders than ever before. Education and enforcement programs are now helping drivers and pedestrians interact more safely and predictably with the increasing numbers of cyclists on the road. Only 0.7 % of the Office of Transportation's budget is spent on bike infrastructure. However this small investment yields significant ridership. currently 6% of trips taken are by bike.

Acknowledging that Platinum status carries with it the responsibility of setting a high standard for other communities to follow, Adams added, “We are not content to rest on our laurels. Platinum status is just the beginning, and we realize that the eyes of the nation are now upon us to keep pedaling forward.”

For more information on Portland’s bicycle program, visit www.GettingAroundPortland.org.

Relevant News

Mr. Smooth (aka Michael Wallis) Supports Bike Boxes with Educational Video

The Office — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 10:26:00 -0700

Bike boxes are a hit, but some community education on their usage is needed. City of Portland and the Office of Transportation along with Portland's own Matt Giraud made a video to clear up a few questions that bicyclists and motorists may have.

Oregonian: Have your say about streetcars' spread to Portland east side

The Office — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 16:43:28 -0700

By Dylan Riviera

To direct growth in the coming decades, Portland is embarking on a back-to-the-future course, to a time in the early 20th century when streetcars were as commonplace as buses are today.

By the 1920s, more than 100 miles of streetcar lines crisscrossed the city, from the West Hills to Northeast Alberta Street and beyond. Now, emboldened by the redevelopment of the Pearl District and South Waterfront with the Portland Streetcar, city planners are drafting a Portland Streetcar System Plan that could spread the lines across eastern and northern Portland.

[READ MORE AT OREGONLIVE.COM]

Relevant Documents:

Current Map of Portland Streetcar System Plan

Celebrate Portland’s Newest Green Space with Us!

The Office — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 17:09:35 -0700

What: A press event for Portland's new bike boxes
When: Thursday, March 27 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Where: Clever Cycles, 908 SE Hawthorne Blvd.

The Bike Box celebrates its day in the limelight tomorrow, Thursday, March 27 at 10 a.m. Sam, along with State Representative Jackie Dingfelder and Metro Councilor Rex Burkholder host this press and community event.

The green bike boxes make it safer for bicycles and cars to share the roads. The green paint highlights the bike lane and the bike box, so motorists are able to see approaching and turning cyclists. A pilot program to create 14 bike boxes at targeted intersections throughout Portland was recently approved by City Council and the first bike box was just installed at SE Hawthorne and 7th Avenue. Be sure to check out the Portland Department of Transportation website for more information.

Join us in celebrating Portland's first bike box at Clever Cycles. There will be an opportunity for interviews and photos of the new bike box at the event.

Press Release - The Bike Box: Get Behind It!

PDOT Bike Box Brochure

Interested in learning more about the streetcars in Portland?

The Office — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 11:55:45 -0700

Portland's Streetcar Connecting CommunitiesAre you interested in learning more about the streetcars in Portland? How about a streetcar corridor in your community? In either case, come to the Streetcar System Plan Workshop in your district. The outcome of these meetings will be a community decision about whether to take on a two-month study of potential streetcar corridors in each district or decide that it’s not a priority for the community at this time.

Southeast District Workshop
Thursday, April 3
7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Cleveland High School Library
3400 SE 26th Ave.

Northeast District Workshop
Tuesday, April 8
7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Grant High School Choir Room
2245 NE 36th Ave.

North Portland District Workshop
Wednesday, April 9
7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
St. Johns Community Center Auditorium
8427 N. Central St.

Northwest and Southwest District Workshop
Monday, April 14
7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Lincoln High School, Room #169
1600 SW Salmon St.

Outer East Portland District Workshop
Tuesday, April 15
7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
East Portland Community Center, Classroom #1
740 SE 106th Ave.

For more information, contact Portland Office of Transportation Streetcar System Plan staff: Emily Lieb at 503-823-7854 or Patrick Sweeney at 503-823-5611

Get behind it!

Jesse Beason — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 10:29:12 -0700

The first bike box was installed on the intersection of SE 7th and Hawthorne yesterday. The Oregonian has a video all about it.