Item A: South Willamette Street Improvement Plan

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Thank you for your good work on this important project. I have been following the work in connection with the project discussions. Although I was unable to attend the Nov 13 forum I wanted to add my thoughts to the discussion on one aspect of the planning. I have significant concerns about the proposal to reduce auto traffic lanes so that bike lanes could be added. I believe that to be an unrealistic and untenable proposal. I am an avid biker and certainly love bike lanes. But the reality is that the primary function of South Willamette must continue to be auto traffic. The street is already overly congested at times with auto traffic and eliminating vehicle lanes will only exacerbate the problem. While I like the idea of promoting bike use we need to accept the practical reality that the vast majority of people will never ride bikes (at least on any regular basis) but they will expect to be able to drive on Willamette to get to and from their homes, stores and work places. In this case I feel strongly that the ideal of more bike travel must give way to the actual and practical needs of the vast majority of our citizens. If there is a way to make bike traffic easier and safer I will be all for it. But the need for bike lanes should in no way trump the need for smooth and efficient auto traffic flow on this key artery. Thanks for considering my views on this important topic. to you guys when it came to bikes, etc. on Crest Drive ?????? Did you ever get the thought that the studied section is of Willamette just might be more similar to Coburg Road ge planning expertise ?????? After attending the meeting at Roosevelt Middle School I have been much more aware of my environment as I walk, bike, and drive. I live just off Willamette at 24th and go from 24th to the shops along Willamette or the Amazon community garden almost daily. Most of the time I walk with my dog. Rarely do we use Willamette as it does not feel safe and bicycles using the sidewalk force walkers to the side. Portland Street is the first choice but it lacks continuous sidewalks so when it is wet we must go into the street. When going to the garden we use Oak or Ferry Streets and again no continuous side walk so again in the street. Each Tuesday I volunteer near the Gilbert Shopping Center and walk using 99 to Roosevelt then Chambers and through downtown. I must say 99 feels much safer for walking than WIllamette. There are wider sidewalks without obstacles and a bike path between the traffic and the pedestrians. While driving on 18th from Chambers to Hawkins I observed two lanes of traffic, a center turn lane and bike paths. The traffic was slower with two stops before getting through several traffic signals, but traffic was moving with bicycles in the bike lane. Would you happen to have a traffic count that would compare the number of cars using Willamette to the number of cars using 18th? The new concrete steps leading from Portland Street to Woodfield Station are an improvement for our walks. Thank you for work work trying to please all of us with the WIllamette project. I drive Willamette Street between 24th and 32nd at least twice daily. As it is, this stretch of road is very hazardous to drive with everyone changing lanes, especially north bound. I can't imagine what a quagmire it would be with only one lane going each way and loading busses blocking that lane. If this plan does go through, I only hope it will include bus pull-outs. The bus drivers may not like them but it will be safer for them I the long run than all the cars driving illegally, and potentially head on, in the turn lane to get around stopped busses. Willamette between 24th and 29th is just too narrow to add safe bike lanes. Bikes should ride the sidewalks or find another route. This stretch should not be a designated bike route. It is just too congested and narrow.