Lake Oswego to Portland Advisory Committee
www.metro-region.org/lakeoswego
This Committee is currently in the beginning of the planning stages of developing a transit and bicycle/pedestrian route between Portland’s South Waterfront and downtown Lake Oswego. In July, the Committee drafted a recommendation of two options to forward to Metro for further study.
These alternatives were chosen from among 12 different alternatives that were examined over the past 2 years. The Committee members reviewed on-the-ground conditions and staff and consultant reports concerning these options and considered citizens’ comments and concerns regarding the improvements.
The winners of the review are….
Macadam to Lake Oswego Alternative/Streetcar to Willamette Park
∑ Extends existing Portland Streetcar line from the South Waterfront District to Willamette Park (WP)
∑ Alignment on Macadam Avenue for as much of the route length as possible
∑ Current Willamette Shoreline (WSL) right-of-way converted to bike trail from rail use w/ separated pedestrian trail along the river
∑ South of WP, the WSL right-of-way combined bike/ped path to Lake Oswego
∑ Enhanced bus service – more frequent service of Trimet Lines 35 & 36 between Portland & Lake Oswego, improved shelters, peak hour express, bus traffic signal preemption and bus passing queues where feasible
Macadam to Lake Oswego Alternative/Streetcar to Lake Oswego
∑ Extends existing Portland Streetcar line from South Waterfront Distric to Alberstons’ lot in downtown Lake Oswego
∑ Alignment on Macadam Avenue for as much of the route length as possible
∑ Current WSL right-of-way from South Waterfront to WP converted to separate bike and ped trails
∑ South of WP streetcar continues along rail right of way to Lake Oswego
∑ Combined ped trail and bike path on alignments to be determined by future study
Great news all around, right? Both options being pushed forward for future study include trails, so bikes are at the forefront, right?
Well…..not so much….check out Scott’s blog
Seems as though Metro is trying to pull something by claiming to not be the appropriate authority to build a trail. Now it does also seem that they have proposed developing a regional trail system so I am not sure what bag this cat is coming out of, but it’s decidedly fishy.
Contact your Metro Councilors and tell them you want a trail for bicycles and pedestrians to move forward with the streetcar project! Public comment closes September 2, 2007.
The next opportunity for public comment, in addition to the email/letter variety of public comment, is below:
What: Transit AA Steering Committee Meeting
Date: Monday, September 10, 2007
Time: 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Place: Metro Regional Center, Council Chambers and Annex
The Steering Committee will be making their decision on a Locally Preferred Alternative recommendation for the Lake Oswego to Portland Alternative Analysis project.
Final decision expected in October 2007.
