South Corridor Policy Committee members step up to face future transportation needs
Metro news release – Feb. 14, 2003
Contact: Gina Whitehill-Baziuk, 503-797-1746
The South Corridor Policy Committee has unanimously recommended construction of two phases of light rail as the preferred major transit investments in the southeastern portion of the region.
Extension of the region’s light rail transit system would be constructed first along I-205 from Gateway to Clackamas Town Center with a subsequent line built from downtown Milwaukie, through Southeast Portland and into downtown Portland.
The committee is a group of elected and appointed officials representing Metro, the cities of Milwaukie, Portland and Oregon City; Multnomah and Clackamas counties; TriMet and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
Metro Councilor Brian Newman, who chairs the committee, supported the recommendation. "Light rail was being selected over other options considered after analysis showed that it would have the highest number of riders, the fastest travel times, the best connections to neighborhoods and centers as well as strong public support," he said.
In their deliberations, committee members cited concerns about both existing needs as well as future travel demands. This is particularly true in light of the recent recommendation to expand the urban growth boundary, adding about 14,000 acres, primarily in the southeast areas of the region.
"This is the perfect time to begin preparing for what will eventually be the next cycle of growth to the region," said Newman. "The 7,000 plus jobs resulting from construction and associated activities from these transportation improvement projects not only will help us during these slow economic times, but will help prepare us for the future."
The recommendation comes after looking at options including river transit, busway, commuter rail, bus rapid transit, high-occupancy vehicle (carpool) lanes, and other innovative transportation solutions. Not until community members ardently sought reexamination of light rail did committee members direct staff to look at the two options ultimately selected in the recommendation.
I-205 light rail would run from the Gateway Transit Center to Clackamas Town Center. Included in this first project is construction of light rail on the Portland Mall. The line would use the existing tracks from Gateway to downtown Portland, but would include a new route downtown along Southwest Fifth and Sixth avenues, thus serving Union Station, Portland State University and major business and retail establishments in between. The committee also recommended that TriMet construct the Southgate Park-and-Ride lot and Transit Center in Milwaukie during the first project phase and consider implementing bus improvements between Milwaukie and Oregon City through its Transportation Improvement Plan process.
The Milwaukie-to-Portland phase of the project would proceed following completion of final environmental work for I-205 and adoption of a finance plan. This alignment would run from downtown Milwaukie to downtown Portland, using 17th Avenue in Southeast Portland and a new Caruthers Bridge south of the Marquam Bridge as the route to the southern end of Portland Transit Mall.
Members of the committee praised the citizens of the region for their continued efforts in helping design transportation improvements that would meet both local and regional needs. Directing his comments to citizens in the room, Portland City Commissioner Jim Francesconi stated, "We are committed to both phases and to coming up with the local match. Though there is increased demand on limited local resources, we will come out of this a stronger region."
The recommendation will be referred to each partner jurisdiction for additional public comment and consideration. The schedule includes Clackamas County on March 18, Multnomah County on March 20, Milwaukie on April 1, TriMet on March 26, and the Portland, Oregon City and the Oregon Transportation Commission at dates yet pending. The Metro Council is expected to review the local jurisdiction recommendations and to consider adoption at its April 17 meeting.
For more information, including maps, background information and a PDF file of the project Draft Environmental Impact Statement Executive Summary, visit Metro’s website at www.metro-region.org.