Fourth Avenue improved ... or is it?
Two-year project to protect alternative modes drives some around the bend
The SW Fourth Avenue Improvement Project, approaching two years in construction, has several goals, but the thing turning heads is the extremely large curb sections to protect pedestrians, cyclists and transit users.
The $21 million project also involves repaving the street between Southwest Lincoln Street and West Burnside. ADA-compliant ramps are upgraded along that stretch.
The funding came primarily from a voter-approved 10 cent gas tax, followed by transportation development charges on new construction, TriMet and Prosper Portland.
But one owner of multiple commercial properties on the route calls it an example of “unchecked power and belligerent spending.” He did not want his name printed in fear that the Portland Bureau of Transportation would retaliate against him when he seeks permits in the future.
What do you think? Is this a good use of transportation dollars?
$$$$21 milion??!!
That’s nuts! We have to show that we are able to be careful with money, if parks have a desperate shortfall that we need a new bond measure, then don’t do this and move unspent funds to parks. Or any other similar example, choices like a household would make..we need a new roof, no new garden or whatever…
Instead of vanity projects like this, we need a lot more basic maintenance. Complicated street designs like this waste huge amounts of money and create infrastructure that just confuses and maddens people. Basic, sensible accommodations for bicyclists and pedestrian safety are good. But PBOT needs to stop its top down, dictatorial, discriminatory policy of trying to force people out of their cars. It's not going to work. I am 80 years old and live on a hill. I now have a fully electric car. It is loaded with many things--groceries, dry cleaning, giveaways, large bags of recycling, the occasional grandchild or dog. There is no way I am going to carry these things on foot, a bike, or transit. There are many, many people like me, who have good reasons to use their cars. They should not have to face obstacle courses when they want to go somewhere.