News:

The AARoads Wiki is live! Come check it out!

Main Menu

I-5 Rose Quarter (Portland) Widening Project

Started by mcarling, February 18, 2015, 01:56:51 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

kernals12

Governor Kate Brown has secured the blessing of Metro President Lynn Peterson and Portland City Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty for the Rose Quarter widening.

https://www.wweek.com/news/state/2022/02/10/gov-kate-brown-wins-agreement-from-local-elected-officials-for-rose-quarter-project-with-highway-caps/


compdude787

Quote from: Sub-Urbanite on January 21, 2022, 11:22:41 AM
Quote from: kernals12 on January 20, 2022, 07:19:01 PM
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on January 20, 2022, 06:12:25 PM
Maybe the 4-lane segments of Interstate 5 in the Portland-area should have been 6 lanes from the time the freeway was first constructed. Freeways with 4 lanes within an urban area such as Portland seems to be too little capacity to me, unless the freeway is a spur route.
In most cities, a freeway like this would have 8 lanes.

That's the amazing part about this debate. The climate warriors in Portland are like NO WE CAN'T HAVE ANY FREEWAY BEYOND 4 LANES OR THE PLANET WILL DIE but, you know, have they been anywhere else!?

Yep, Portland's freeways are really narrow compared to all other cities on the west coast. Most of them are just 3 lanes in each direction (aside from the part on I-5 between I-205 and OR 217, which is 4-5 lanes in each direction), which is the absolute minimum for an urban freeway IMO.

I really don't have much of a problem with widening this stretch of freeway, but it's just crazy that widening just a mile of road is going to cost a billion dollars.

Plutonic Panda

Quote from: kernals12 on February 11, 2022, 01:23:48 PM
Governor Kate Brown has secured the blessing of Metro President Lynn Peterson and Portland City Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty for the Rose Quarter widening.

https://www.wweek.com/news/state/2022/02/10/gov-kate-brown-wins-agreement-from-local-elected-officials-for-rose-quarter-project-with-highway-caps/
That article kind of gives me mixed thoughts. They are wanting to reduce the median size to ensure additional lanes can't be added? That's utterly ridiculous.

Alps

Quote from: Plutonic Panda on February 13, 2022, 03:48:48 AM
Quote from: kernals12 on February 11, 2022, 01:23:48 PM
Governor Kate Brown has secured the blessing of Metro President Lynn Peterson and Portland City Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty for the Rose Quarter widening.

https://www.wweek.com/news/state/2022/02/10/gov-kate-brown-wins-agreement-from-local-elected-officials-for-rose-quarter-project-with-highway-caps/
That article kind of gives me mixed thoughts. They are wanting to reduce the median size to ensure additional lanes can't be added? That's utterly ridiculous.
I know, because you are rabidly pro-highway to the exclusion of all else. Reducing the median size saves a lot of money in ROW and construction, so it's reasonable. Whatever motives there are now, it can be revisited in the future if further widening is deemed warranted.

kernals12

It's remarkable that after all the crap about induced demand and climate change, they still sign on to a freeway expansion. It's proof that they don't really believe in that.

Rothman

Quote from: kernals12 on February 13, 2022, 11:17:04 AM
It's remarkable that after all the crap about induced demand and climate change, they still sign on to a freeway expansion. It's proof that they don't really believe in that.

Who's "they" here?
Please note: All comments here represent my own personal opinion and do not reflect the official position(s) of NYSDOT.

kernals12

Quote from: Rothman on February 13, 2022, 12:35:37 PM
Quote from: kernals12 on February 13, 2022, 11:17:04 AM
It's remarkable that after all the crap about induced demand and climate change, they still sign on to a freeway expansion. It's proof that they don't really believe in that.

Who's "they" here?

Lynn Peterson and Jo Ann Hardesty had been pushing hard on the dogma that more lanes would only mean more congestion and that the carbon emissions would destroy life as we know it.

Plutonic Panda

Quote from: Alps on February 13, 2022, 10:42:07 AM
I know, because you are rabidly pro-highway to the exclusion of all else.
[/quote]
Do you even read my posts? Because if you did you'd know that's bullshit. I support mass and active transit all the time. I ride the red line in LA several times a week. What makes you think I don't support anything but freeway expansion?

Sub-Urbanite

Quote from: Plutonic Panda on February 13, 2022, 03:48:48 AM
Quote from: kernals12 on February 11, 2022, 01:23:48 PM
Governor Kate Brown has secured the blessing of Metro President Lynn Peterson and Portland City Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty for the Rose Quarter widening.

https://www.wweek.com/news/state/2022/02/10/gov-kate-brown-wins-agreement-from-local-elected-officials-for-rose-quarter-project-with-highway-caps/
That article kind of gives me mixed thoughts. They are wanting to reduce the median size to ensure additional lanes can't be added? That's utterly ridiculous.

I mean, here's the deal. The opponents are going to say "that center median is a SECRET ODOT LANE AND THIS 8-LANE PROJECT MUST DIE" if they build the 12 foot median. It takes some air out of the climate histrionics without actually affecting the project. And, let's be honest: There's no extra lane going in there ever anyway. Not unless Portland has a major shift in politics in the next half-century.

kernals12

Quote from: Sub-Urbanite on February 14, 2022, 11:29:17 AM
Quote from: Plutonic Panda on February 13, 2022, 03:48:48 AM
Quote from: kernals12 on February 11, 2022, 01:23:48 PM
Governor Kate Brown has secured the blessing of Metro President Lynn Peterson and Portland City Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty for the Rose Quarter widening.

https://www.wweek.com/news/state/2022/02/10/gov-kate-brown-wins-agreement-from-local-elected-officials-for-rose-quarter-project-with-highway-caps/
That article kind of gives me mixed thoughts. They are wanting to reduce the median size to ensure additional lanes can't be added? That's utterly ridiculous.

I mean, here's the deal. The opponents are going to say "that center median is a SECRET ODOT LANE AND THIS 8-LANE PROJECT MUST DIE" if they build the 12 foot median. It takes some air out of the climate histrionics without actually affecting the project. And, let's be honest: There's no extra lane going in there ever anyway. Not unless Portland has a major shift in politics in the next half-century.

Portlanders voted against a tax increase in November 2020 meant to expand transit. They are going ahead with widening the I-5 Bridge over the Columbia to 10 lanes. Portland's politics are already shifting.

Sub-Urbanite

Quote from: kernals12 on February 14, 2022, 07:20:32 PM
Quote from: Sub-Urbanite on February 14, 2022, 11:29:17 AM
Quote from: Plutonic Panda on February 13, 2022, 03:48:48 AM
Quote from: kernals12 on February 11, 2022, 01:23:48 PM
Governor Kate Brown has secured the blessing of Metro President Lynn Peterson and Portland City Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty for the Rose Quarter widening.

https://www.wweek.com/news/state/2022/02/10/gov-kate-brown-wins-agreement-from-local-elected-officials-for-rose-quarter-project-with-highway-caps/
That article kind of gives me mixed thoughts. They are wanting to reduce the median size to ensure additional lanes can't be added? That's utterly ridiculous.

I mean, here's the deal. The opponents are going to say "that center median is a SECRET ODOT LANE AND THIS 8-LANE PROJECT MUST DIE" if they build the 12 foot median. It takes some air out of the climate histrionics without actually affecting the project. And, let's be honest: There's no extra lane going in there ever anyway. Not unless Portland has a major shift in politics in the next half-century.

Portlanders voted against a tax increase in November 2020 meant to expand transit. They are going ahead with widening the I-5 Bridge over the Columbia to 10 lanes. Portland's politics are already shifting.

I would be stunned if the Columbia River bridge gets built at 10 lanes. And it's not just the electorate. The transportation advocacy community has a ton of power here. It doesn't translate to ballot measures (beyond Portland proper) but it still connects with the people who get elected into office.

compdude787

Quote from: Plutonic Panda on February 13, 2022, 03:48:48 AM
Quote from: kernals12 on February 11, 2022, 01:23:48 PM
Governor Kate Brown has secured the blessing of Metro President Lynn Peterson and Portland City Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty for the Rose Quarter widening.

https://www.wweek.com/news/state/2022/02/10/gov-kate-brown-wins-agreement-from-local-elected-officials-for-rose-quarter-project-with-highway-caps/
That article kind of gives me mixed thoughts. They are wanting to reduce the median size to ensure additional lanes can't be added? That's utterly ridiculous.

Nothing wrong with that. I highly doubt an additional lane will be built for at least 40-50 years, if ever, by which time the whole road will need to be rebuilt anyway. And besides, this project is already getting too expensive, so I'm all for anything to cut costs.

Quote from: Sub-Urbanite on February 15, 2022, 12:41:21 PM
Quote from: kernals12 on February 14, 2022, 07:20:32 PM

Portlanders voted against a tax increase in November 2020 meant to expand transit. They are going ahead with widening the I-5 Bridge over the Columbia to 10 lanes. Portland's politics are already shifting.

I would be stunned if the Columbia River bridge gets built at 10 lanes. And it's not just the electorate. The transportation advocacy community has a ton of power here. It doesn't translate to ballot measures (beyond Portland proper) but it still connects with the people who get elected into office.

Yeah, if they don't plan on widening I-5 between I-405 and the Columbia River, then it doesn't make sense to make it 10 lanes. Otherwise the 6-lane section through north Portland will just become a bottleneck. Making it 8 lanes is fine, especially considering that the traffic counts are 130,000 vpd. Oh, and adding light rail on the bridge is something that should definitely happen. Hopefully this time people in Clark County won't throw a big fit over it.

kernals12

The Portland City Council has given its blessing!

Plutonic Panda

New survey is up and boy howdy are the anti car crowd up in arms I've been getting slammed on Twitter with death threats and endless ad hominem attacks for vocalizing my support for this project.

https://i5rosequarter.org/

kernals12

Quote from: Plutonic Panda on August 30, 2022, 05:58:24 PM
New survey is up and boy howdy are the anti car crowd up in arms I've been getting slammed on Twitter with death threats and endless ad hominem attacks for vocalizing my support for this project.

https://i5rosequarter.org/

They're lashing out because they're losing.

Plutonic Panda

Quote from: kernals12 on August 30, 2022, 09:18:49 PM
Quote from: Plutonic Panda on August 30, 2022, 05:58:24 PM
New survey is up and boy howdy are the anti car crowd up in arms I've been getting slammed on Twitter with death threats and endless ad hominem attacks for vocalizing my support for this project.

https://i5rosequarter.org/

They're lashing out because they're losing.
I'm just hoping ODOT doesn't cave. Traffic will improve once this, the I-205(not happy about the tolling), and I-5 Columbia river bridge projects are finished.

kernals12

Quote from: Plutonic Panda on August 30, 2022, 09:50:12 PM
Quote from: kernals12 on August 30, 2022, 09:18:49 PM
Quote from: Plutonic Panda on August 30, 2022, 05:58:24 PM
New survey is up and boy howdy are the anti car crowd up in arms I've been getting slammed on Twitter with death threats and endless ad hominem attacks for vocalizing my support for this project.

https://i5rosequarter.org/

They're lashing out because they're losing.
I'm just hoping ODOT doesn't cave. Traffic will improve once this, the I-205(not happy about the tolling), and I-5 Columbia river bridge projects are finished.

This project has the support of all levels of government and most of the public.

The opposition consists of a few dozen bored trust fund babies with blue hair and nose piercings.

Plutonic Panda

Good news from an email I received:

QuotePORTLAND — ODOT will share results from a public opinion survey conducted this summer to the Historic Albina Advisory Board during their meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 20 at 4 p.m.

The survey found support for the I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project is strong. More than three-quarters (76%) support the project, including a third (30%) who strongly support the project.

Key survey findings include:

Nearly 9 in 10 (86%) respondents say it is important to undertake a project to address traffic and congestion in the Rose Quarter.
86% believe shoulders for disabled vehicles to move out of traffic and for emergency responder use are a good idea.
81% believe auxiliary lanes to allow drivers to enter and exit the highway without merging through traffic are a good idea.
Strong majorities also believe that new bike and pedestrian paths, building a highway cover, and a ramp relocation are good ideas.
Respondents were shown short statements about the goals of the I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project. 86% agreed it is important to "Improve safety, manage congestion, improve travel time reliability, provide multiple transportation options, and connect communities and job centers across the region."
About a third of respondents feel traffic has gotten worse in the Rose Quarter compared to pre-pandemic levels and more than half feel it is likely to get worse.
The survey of 624 adults in Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties was conducted online June 13-21, 2022. The margin of error for a survey of 624 interviews is ±3.9% at the 95% confidence level for each individual sample.

The Historic Albina Advisory Board meeting can be viewed via livestream at this link Tuesday, Sept. 20 at 4 p.m.: https://youtu.be/7gujCv0o4wA


Plutonic Panda

Next public meeting November 15th per an email I received:

QuoteI-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project November Meeting
November 8, 2022

For more information, please contact Rose Gerber, 503-779-6927, Rose.Gerber@odot.oregon.gov.

The public is invited to attend an upcoming meeting for the I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project:

On Tuesday, November 15, the Historic Albina Advisory Board (HAAB) will meet online at 4:00 p.m.
The meeting will be livestreamed on YouTube. Please visit the project's events and meetings page for more information.

Anyone can observe the meeting and share comments via email, phone or online:

Email comments on specific agenda items to i5rosequarter@odot.oregon.gov with "HAAB Public Comment"  in the subject line.
Submit comments via phone at the project's hotline: 503-470-3127.
The facilitator will also provide an opportunity for online participants to provide comments during the meeting for up to two minutes via phone (the number is provided at the beginning of the meeting and listed on the events and meetings page).
Comments received by 11:00 a.m. the business day before the meeting will be shared with advisory committee members in advance. All written and voice recorded comments received will be added to the meeting record.

All project committee meetings are open to the public. If you wish to attend a virtual meeting but cannot attend by phone or computer, or you require language accommodations, please contact the project team at 503-470-3127 at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting.

Bruce

The Historic Albina Advisory Board meets every few months to discuss recommendations for the project's lid and reconciliation elements. This is not exactly a major meeting.
Wikipedia - TravelMapping (100% of WA SRs)

Photos

Bruce

Wikipedia - TravelMapping (100% of WA SRs)

Photos

Plutonic Panda


Plutonic Panda


Plutonic Panda

It looks like construction will officially begin on this project in the summer of 2025:

QuoteSalem, Ore— The Oregon Transportation Commission today allocated $250 million to the I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project. Combined with existing funding and a recently secured federal grant of $450 million, the project now has $850 million – sufficient funding to begin construction and deliver many of the project's most critical improvements.

Construction will begin in summer 2025.

"The I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project has been in development for a generation," said ODOT's Urban Mobility Office Director Brendan Finn. "I am so proud we can now start construction on this critical investment in the community, in improving safety, and in operational efficiency."

The $250 million allocated today was originally dedicated by the commission to the Rose Quarter project. The Commission redirected that funding to the I-205 Abernethy Improvement Project in 2022 to jumpstart construction on that critical earthquake safety project. At that time, the Abernethy Project was further along in design and more ready for construction. Tolling was envisioned as a central funding component of the Abernethy Bridge. With tolling postponed, and with this funding transitioning from Abernethy, the Abernethy Bridge project will rely more on funding from ODOT's dedicated bridge funding program.

The I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project has had a string of successes in 2024 that have made the project ready for construction. After ODOT made a series of community-inspired revisions to the scope of the project, major partners including the City of Portland, Metro and Albina Vision Trust endorsed the full project. In the spring, the federal government approved the project's Supplemental Environmental Assessment giving the project the legal approval to begin construction. Lastly, the federal government invested $450 million in the project through the Reconnecting Communities program. This grant gives ODOT, the agency's Historic Albina Advisory Board, and Albina Vision Trust, the agency's essential community partner in securing that grant, the ability to deliver on many of the core community reconnection aspects of the project.

With the funding now available, ODOT can build the central core of the planned highway cover, build the full southbound auxiliary lane and shoulder from I-405 to the Morrison Bridge exit, extend an initial portion of the northbound auxiliary lane and shoulder under the highway cover, complete bridge work in the southern project area, and construct storm water facilities near I-405.

"I want to thank the commission for standing by this project through difficult times, the Oregon Legislature for its original investment, and our partners for helping us design a truly extraordinary project," said ODOT Director Kris Strickler. "ODOT is committed to delivering this project in full. We will ensure our construction allows for future improvements as funding becomes available. We look forward to working with the Oregon Legislature during the 2025 legislative session to identify additional funding to finish the complete project."

The Ghostbuster

Any chance the NIMBYs and anti-car types could still delay or kill this project?



Opinions expressed here on belong solely to the poster and do not represent or reflect the opinions or beliefs of AARoads, its creators and/or associates.