Bike trail markings are a bad idea for Oregon

Washington DOT tried to persuade Oregon DOT (ODOT) to put in bike trail markings on the I-5 bridge to direct bike traffic to go a certain route. This would have merely suggested to bikers to travel with the flow of traffic. A study done concluded that most bikers travel in the opposite direction of traffic.The markings they are trying to put in place will create to much liability because they are not approved by state or federal authorities so ODOT denied their request based on these reasons and I am happy they did because I like seeing traffic coming at me in certain places so I can better avoid being hit.

Article Link:
ODOT says no to new markings on I-5 bridge path

Portland is the transportation mecca!

Tri-met has been a historic company in Portland. They take people where they want to go and stretch into the suburbs and through downtown. I found this video explaining how this company strives to keep Portland clean while being active on the roadways. Tri-met has been up keeping this most vital community connection and really set the standard in the US transportation infrastructure. Enjoy!

Video:

Transportation issues lead to major debt

A major issue facing the US now and more seriously in 2025 is the rising demand for transportation and the costly upkeep of roadway infrastructure and expansion. In Oregon alone many places have congested or out of date roadways limiting businesses and people from transporting to those jobs. "Without increased spending on transportation projects, congestion and related problems will cost the local economy $844 million a year by 2025, including lost worker productivity, higher transportation costs and lost business earnings." Where as fixing the problem each year will only cost $433 million in 36 Oregon counties, $325 million alone will be the cost to fix Portland's backlog.
Article Link:
Traffic poses threat to jobs

Modular Housing

Modular housing is a new concept and is being applied for the first time in Portland on the 96th block on Holgate. This house structure will look the same as a regular home but takes less time to put together as the parts are created in a factory and assembled together at the site. The modular home is being built by the cities housing bureau and will require renters to pay only 30% of their income each month to live there.

Article Link:
Modular housing project a first for Portland

Portland adds urban forestry to the list of master plans!

This plan is essential to Portland's go green theme. In this plan the city will be able to spend money on monitoring and tending the plant and tree life. Having inventories of the trees around the city, removed trees, past trees, and so forth will give the city better insight to planting new trees that rebuild the soil. With these new found knowledges the city could improve its gardening into a forest garden of natural growth. Trees and plants play a major role in Portland and a list of the benefits and costs can be found here in the tree plan.















Article Link:
The Portland Plan: Urban forestry chapter