The BTA attended the May 3rd North Williams Traffic Operations Project stakeholder advisory committee meeting. We expected Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) to present updated design proposals based on feedback from the previous stakeholder meetings and the April 16th open house. Earlier project designs can be found here.
The timeline for this project is lagging due to the volume of comments and opinions PBOT received during the public outreach period. They’re hearing from small business owners, big employers, people who ride bikes and walk, developers, community residents, non-resident motorists, neighborhood associations, etc. Many people use North Williams everyday and as a result PBOT is hearing many of diverse and valuable opinions. Public outreach is an important part of the project in order to build popular support and long term working relationships around the community’s preferred solutions.
However, no new designs have been proposed since the open house and the project has taken a step back from the discussion on specific bicycle facilities such as cycletracks and buffered bike lanes. We need to take another look at the project and answer a very critical question: should N. Williams have ONE auto lane over the complete corridor from Broadway to Killingsworth?
We say YES.
North Williams should have one automobile lane the whole way. We believe this is critical to provide space on the roadway for a safe and comfortable bicycle facility that will not only be beneficial to current users but attract interested and cautious potential bicyclists. We look forward to working with PBOT on the facility type, but first we need them to make the decision to remove an auto travel lane.
We feel that removing a lane of travel will do the following:
• Improve bicycle safety
• Increase the number of people bicycling
• Reduce speed for motor vehicles
• Increase commercial activity
• Improve pedestrian safety
In order to accomplish these outcomes on North Williams we need your help. Please:
• Read up on the details of the project and get meeting times and locations from PBOT’s website.
• Attend the final open house! The date is not yet available but will likely happen around June 11th. PBOT will refine and narrow down the design so you can vote on your preferred option.
• Write a letter to the project manager, Ellen Vanderslice: ellen.vanderslice@portlandoregon.gov and ask PBOT to commit to the safest and most bicycle and pedestrian friendly option, one auto travel lane on North Williams.
• Attend the next stakeholder advisory committee meeting on May 27th and give public testimony.
• Volunteer with the BTA to discuss this project with community members and small business. Contact susanpeithman@bta4bikes.org for more information.
Remember a vote for one-lane is a vote for healthy streets!
