Last "Listening Post" on Metro transportation funding
Posted by: MichelleOct 28 2008, 5:01 pm
The process by which Metro allocates federal dollars for bicycle, pedestrian and other projects began last month. Metro has narrowed down the possible bike, pedestrian, transit and freight projects to about $58 million worth – but there's only $21 million to spend on them!
That's where you come in – Metro needs to hear from you what types of projects and which projects in particular are most deserving of limited dollars.
You can comment in person at a Listening Post (one tonight, Oct. 28th, and another on October 30th; details below) or you can comment online.
Please contribute your comments, and we encourage you to emphasize:
1. First, that projects providing bicycle and pedestrian routes, particularly off-road, are ever more important these days and should be funded as much as possible.
2. Second, which projects you think are most deserving of limited dollars in this funding cycle.
Listening Posts:
Tonight, Tuesday, Oct. 28th, 5:00 – 8:00 pm
Oregon City, Pioneer Community Center
615 Fifth St (at Washington)
Bike routes shown here
Thursday, Oct. 30th, 5:00 – 8:00 pm
Metro Regional Center, Council Chamber
600 NE Grand Ave., Portland
Bike routes shown here.
View all projects and comment online here
More details on Metro funding and future Listening Posts here
Bike or pedestrian projects on this potential funding list include:
–A NE/SE 20s bikeway in Portland
–A leg of the Westside (Powerline) Trail in Washington County
–The Willamette Greenway Trail in Portland
–The French Prairie Bike/Ped Bridge across the Willamette in Clackamas County
–Continuation of the 40-mile loop trail in Fairview
–The Council Creek Trail from Hillsboro to Banks
–The Red Electric Trail in Southwest Portland
In addition to specific projects, the Regional Flexible Funds being allocated in this process also support regional programs that reduce auto use and improve transit and active transportation options – like High Capacity Transit planning, the Regional Travel Options program (that has supported the Bike Commute Challenge), Transit Oriented Development, and others.
I love all these projects! Please find the money to fund them all. We really need improvements to our bike/ped system. We've been too complacent, and now we're getting lapped by Seattle.
In the 21st century trails and bike routes define a community's desirability and sustainability, let's make sure the Portland Metro area is THE role model for sustainable community living by funding the projects that make it possible!
I urge Metro to fully support the identified bike and pedestrian projects. Our region has seen a fairly dramatic increase bicycling and walking not only as a commute mode, but as a lifestyle. I believe we should particularly support projects which provide network connectivity / linkages and projects in areas that are underserved with safe routes for bikes and peds.
We also need to shift our thinking that off street paths are merely recreational and open space enhancement opportunities. These off street routes have become safe and efficient commute routes for cyclists and walkers. These routes are particulary important in the formerly rural areas as the existing road network doesn't support the alternate commute choice. Also the routes in areas with challenging topography – where the street system is fairly built out with limited alternate mode oppurtunities.
All the identified projects are well thought out and important to the region, but I urge Metro to support the ever increasing (and healthful) bike and ped lifestyle.
i am familiar with some of the projects listed above and want to voice my strong support for them and other projects that will enhance the biking route networks in Portland. i am a commuter biker and use bike, bus and MAX to travel around the city since i do not own a vehicle. dedicated bike routes and bike safety boxes enhance the biking community's perception of safety and greatly increases ridership in addition to lowering car-counts and promoting a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. additional dedicated and direct biking routes are needed in many parts of the city, in my opinion, such as the NW neighborhoods, and N and NE Portland. the governor is prioritizing the growth of sustainable, green technology industries in ORE in addition to alternative fuel vehicles, so continue this priority by supporting and enhancing bike/ped transport networks in Portland.