Jeanne Harrison lives in NW Portland, she likes to walk and has has experienced the challenges of getting to the Pearl from NW Portland.Â
I have read comments on Flander Bridge and I would like to me reply based on my perspective.
1. Contrary to many comments, the existing crossings of I-405 are not safe. Burnside, Couch, Everett, and Flanders only have a narrow sidewalk on ONE side of the overpasses. If you don¹t know which side to cross on, you find yourself facing a 2-foot walkway or having to cross traffic again to get to the correct side. The number of pedestrian and bicycle crashes and injuries is very high on Burnside, Everett and Glisan. That¹s why Flanders is the best option. At all the other crossings pedestrians face crossing on- and off-ramps with heavy, fast-moving traffic. At Couch, pedestrians have to look BEHIND them to see if traffic is speeding toward them as it heads for the freeway.
2. The Sauvie Island Bridge is due to be dismantled early this summer. If it isn¹t floated up the river for storage at Terminal 2 now, it will be lost forever. Not only is the bridge attractive and historic, but it¹s also better to reuse the bridge instead of building a new crossing out of new steel. Sustainability and reuse should be on everyone¹s minds these days.
3. Most of the money for the bridge project has been and will be generated by the Pearl District. $2M comes from urban renewal funds that have generated by new development in the Pearl. $2M comes from system development charges that have been generated in NW Portland, especially the Pearl. $1M comes from federal transportation enhancement funds that have to be spent on significant ped/bike projects and can¹t be spent on local streets. These funds were recently spent building the two bridges over SE McLoughlin as part of the Springwater Corridor.
4. The rest of the money will come from private donations and/or funds that have been allocated as part of the Safe, Sound and Green Streets funding. There is significant support in the business community to contribute to the bridge fundraising.
5. This bridge has been approved as part of the Burnside/Couch planning and is part of the City¹s Transportation System Plan. It¹s part of the Regional Transportation Plan, too, I believe. While the bridge may not be everyone¹s highest priority, it¹s a good project and, if delayed, will result in a 15-foot wide span that won¹t be built for at least 5-6 years.
6. The Sauvie Bridge will create a 36-foot wide span with ample space for pedestrians and bicyclists. It will be good for economic development (hence the business support), community building, and safety for pedestrians and bicyclists.
7. Personally, for over 20 years, I walked on Burnside, Couch,
Everett or Glisan to get to and from work. I had several near misses and was always uncomfortable making these trips. There have been several fatalities at these crossings including a woman who was on walking on the ³sidewalk² on Glisan, flung over the guardrail onto I-405 by a car, and run over by cars on the freeway. Recently, a young woman on a bicycle was killed at Burnside/14th WHILE IN A BIKE LANE.
8. Yes, projects in other parts of town are important and needed, but this opportunity is now, and shouldn¹t be missed. I will lobby just as hard for other projects benefiting walkers, but right now, I want to be an advocate for what I consider a great, exciting opportunity for pedestrians.
Jeanne
