03/24/1980 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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I there being no further testimony, public hearing was closed. Irv Berman responded to Mr. Bonnett by stating that there was no way that gaso- 4It line shortages could have been predicted. The project was based on a 70-percent automobile usage. He assumed that transit and paratransit would be used. This project is an attempt to work with the council for a mult i-modal transportat ion syste~. In regard to the transit portion, it is difficult for LTD to use this section of the street now. There are bicycle ramp provisions which the Public Works Department intends to cover. The bicycle bridge would be like the one at Westmoreland Housing on Arthur Street. In reference to the length of time it takes to travel Hilyard versus Willamette being about the same, prior to widening Willamette Street, there was a severe accident problem on that street. Traffic volumes have increased. As to the recommendation to build the bus and park-and-ride facilities and not to do the widening, mass transit depends upon the widening. The costs are going up year by year as the project is postponed. The project has included input by the public and council as well as Federal input. The goal is to discourage 30 percent of the trips by automobile by the year 2000. In regard to the signal on 30th and Alder, observations from others are that it is needed. There is very seldom a break in traffic and people take risks and increase the accident potential. There will be a median which can be used for bicycle and pedestrian crossing. The bottleneck which was referred to at 25th to 28th is really at the 30th and Hilyard intersection. Mr. Berman said that in regard to Ms. Choppy's statements, wider streets will be less dangerous for pedestrians as they will have a place to "store" on the median in the middle of the street. ~ Mr. Berman responded to Mr. Harrison's comments that the plan has not changed by saying that there is more bicycle storage, more bikeways, and more transit usage. The 29th Avenue vacation is also a substantial change from before. Mr. Hanks said that in regard to the traffic volume question, there may have been some traffic counts in 1973 that showed less cars than some counts in 1975, but there has been about a 60-percent increase to this date and the volume con- tinues to increase. LTD is researching all parking lots to encourage park-and- ride. The department is trying to encourage mass transit, bicycles, pedestrians, and automobiles in this multi-modal system. The 30th and Hilyard project is part .of the system and should be looked at as a part of the whole. Mr. Allen said that in regard to the financing, if the project is terminated at this point, the Federal and State funds go back to their respective agencies, perhaps not even remaining in this geographical area. Mr. Haws said testimony indicated both good and bad points of the plan. He asked how much leeway there is in making changes in this plan. Mr. Allen responded that the entire project must be approved, not just portions of it. Mr. Haws then asked whether, if the traffic light were omitted, the funding would be canceled. Mr. Allen responded that some minor adjustments could be made in the final design, but that consideration this evening has to address this specific preliminary design. e 3/24/80--4