PDOT excerpt from 2007 State of the River Report

The Bureau of Transportation plays a vital role in connecting Portlanders with the River on a daily basis. In addition to its work helping extend the Portland Streetcar and advancing the City’s green street program (described elsewhere in this report), the Bureau places a high priority on pedestrian and bicyclist travel—much of it involving riverside routes, as highlighted below. This past year, the program conducted a dozen events and activities along the Willamette River.

Bicycling the Willamette

Reducing pollution and bringing people to the River are essential to achieve the “Clean and Healthy River” and “Portland’s Front Yard” elements of the River Renaissance Vision. By encouraging bicycling, the Bureau of Transportation has significantly advanced both objectives: since 2004 Portland has added 15 miles of bikeways to create a comprehensive network of more than 270 miles citywide. Many of these recent additions, including bicycle lanes on Naito Parkway, North Greeley Avenue, SW Moody and Bond, and in the Rose Quarter, include routes along the Willamette River. These new bikeways, combined with other bicycle-friendly innovations, have resulted in rapid increases in bicycle use. In the summer months, there are now more than 14,500 daily bicycle trips across the Willamette River in the central city—more than double than 2000. Citywide, bicycle use has grown 20 percent since 2006, with 2007 the third year in a row with double digit increases in bicycle travel. In addition to creating new bicycle friendly infrastructure, the Bureau supports a variety of bicycle events. Nothing shows off the River like its bridges—and the Bureau participated in the annual Bridge Pedal on the Fremont bridge where 20,000 Portland metropolitan area residents enjoyed unparalleled views of the river. Also, cyclists enjoyed the Bureau-sponsored Portland By Cycle and Women on Bikes rides along the river, highlighting the easy connections to downtown and area parks and green spaces.

River Walking

The Bureau of Transportation has a growing number of programs that enhance pedestrian experiences along and across the River:

the Bureau’s Ten Toe Express Walks and Senior Strolls took participants on a series of walks on the Springwater Trail along the Willamette, to Oaks Bottom, and to Elk Rock Island in Milwaukie.

■■ the Bureau provides on-going financial and technical support to the Southwest Trails volunteer group to maintain and expand the off-street trail network in a neighborhood often constrained by steep slopes, environmentally sensitive resource areas and a lack of sidewalks. Providing a network of pedestrian trails increases the viability of walking and connecting to transit, reducing dependence on driving.

■■ In March 2007, the Bureau of Transportation, in partnership with the Portland Development Commission, installed a pedestrian wayfinding signage system throughout downtown Portland, River District and Lloyd District. The signs increase comfort among visitors and residents unfamiliar with downtown and allows more people to walk more confidently to their riverfront areas. the Bureau sponsored an “I Share the Path” brownbag to encourage c ■■ yclists to slow down and use their bike bells when passing pedestrians, and for pedestrians to keep to the right and make way for passing cyclists.

■■ Transportation is also working to bring more people to the river in a manner that does not contribute to its pollution. Two upcoming capital projects (to be funded through BES’ Community Benefit Opportunity grant program) – the Clinton Crossing Project and the Clay Street Green Street Project – will facilitate bicycle and pedestrian access to the Willamette River from the residential areas of Southeast Portland. The grants will pay for streetscape enhancements, safety improvements, stormwater management facilities, and new bicycle/ pedestrian signals.