Fwd: NW Broadway @ NW Couch

[Jeffrey Moore]

Good morning AROWs,

So I contacted PBOT last week and this is the response I received from Dan Layden. Apparently Ross Swanson has changed jobs. I am not sure why this has changed priorities from end of 2014 to a more nebulous time in the future. Any thoughts out there on how I could work with PBOT to make this more of a priority? I can hardly stand to see one more car blow this stop sign. 

Jeff

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Layden, Dan <Dan.L...@portlandoregon.gov>
Date: Fri, Jan 23, 2015 at 5:13 PM
Subject: RE: NW Broadway @ NW Couch
To: "Swanson, Ross" <Ross.S...@portlandoregon.gov>, Jeffrey Moore <jeffreymi...@gmail.com>
Cc: "Huntsinger, Eva" <Eva.Hun...@portlandoregon.gov>, "Dezhnyuk, Slavik" <Slavik....@portlandoregon.gov>, "Leclerc, Mauricio" <Mauricio...@portlandoregon.gov>

Jeff, I have good news, we will soon be starting construction of a traffic signal at this intersection.  It is part of a larger project that includes improvements at several intersections along Burnside and in the Pearl.  We do not have an established construction schedule yet, but the work should be occurring sometime this spring or summer.  If you need more information feel free to contact for Mauricio Leclerc who is ccd on this e-mail. 

 

Thanks, Dan Layden

 

Dan Layden

Capital Program Manager

dan.l...@portlandoregon.gov

(503) 823-2804

From: Swanson, Ross
Sent: Friday, January 23, 2015 9:53 AM
To: Jeffrey Moore
Cc: Layden, Dan; Huntsinger, Eva
Subject: RE: NW Broadway @ NW Couch

 

Jeffrey – Thanks for your e-mail.   Back in August of last year I changed jobs.  I am no longer with PBOT and am currently with Portland Parks and Recreation.

Dan Layden and Eva Huntsinger (cc’d here) are working  on that project and  would be able to update you on the progress of the construction contract.

 

Thanks

 

Ross Swanson

Project Manager

Portland Parks and Rec.

503-823-3577

ross.s...@portlandoregon.gov

 

 

From: Jeffrey Moore [mailto:jeffreymi...@gmail.com]
Sent: Friday, January 23, 2015 9:29 AM
To: Swanson, Ross
Subject: NW Broadway @ NW Couch

 

Dear Ross,

 

Good morning. I am writing this letter to about about concerns I have at the intersection of NW Broadway & NW Couch. I have been informed that you have a vested stake in this intersection. 

 

I have been in contact with 823-SAFE a number of times about how difficult and dangerous this intersection is. They informed me a traffic signal would be installed by the end of 2014. Since this has not materialized, I wanted to find out when it might be expected to go in. 

 

My office window faces this intersection and everyday I see multiple cars and bicycles blowing through the North/South bound lanes. I have concerns for pedestrians, bicycles and drivers who use this intersection. I consider myself a fairly seasoned bicycle commuter and, after avoiding multiple collisions, I refuse to ride East/West through this intersection. 

 

I believe that drivers, especially traveling southbound, experience an almost optical illusion. They see the signal at Burnside but often fail to stop at Couch. During rush hour, it becomes an extremely confusing mess with pedestrians trying to cross the intersection and eager cars trying to get across to make the next light. I could certainly name numerous other examples of why this intersection is dangerous and confusing. 

 

I wanted to ask if a traffic light is planning on being installed and, if so, a timeline for implementation? Thanks for your time in this matter.

 

Regards,

 

Jeffrey Moore

503-703-8809

[Halley Weaver]

Thanks for following up on this! No one probably knows that I am in this group as I read the emails but don't talk ever. My main office is off of Hoyt & Broadway and so when I am coming back to the east side I go down Broadway and make that left back onto Burnside and encounter that awkward stop sign on Couch which seems to elude most people. On such a busy throughfare, I don't know why it's not a higher priority either.

I didn't know if anyone realized that the construction that they just did on that old gov building on like Broadway and umm Glisan(?) is where PNCA is going to be. Maybe having the artsy people there will give more clout to having traffic signals there. It was kind of nuts when they were remodeling. I hate to use that card, but since "the powers that be" have zero humanitarian bones in their body for people that regularly use that corridor, maybe they can smell money.

- Halley

​------------------------------------------------------------

BIKELEPTIC.COM

Slightly Off Kilter and On Two Wheels

[Jeffrey Moore]

Halley,

Thanks for speaking up and sharing your thoughts on this matter. I suspect many people who utilize this intersection on a regular basis have experienced just how terrible it is. From what I can gather, PBOT was going to have it installed in late Dec 2014 but it got rolled over into another project with hopes of saving money. I can only wonder how much money is worth saving when in light of safety? I know of at least one cyclist whose arm was broken at this intersection. I suspect there have been multiple accidents here. Does anyone know how to information about the number of accidents that occur at a specific intersection? I would like to compile something tangible to bring back to PBOT. 

I have sent a request to Dan Layden/823-SAFE to have an increased police presence at this intersection in hopes of curbing poor driver behavior. I feel this would only be a small bandaid on the problem. 

I would hope that students at PNCA and students traveling from NE down the Broadway corridor would speak up. Perhaps a little donut/coffee social at this intersection would be helpful to hear about others experiences who access it? 

The money is allocated for the project. Let's get the signal in here. If the New Seasons by my apartment in Sullivan's Gulch can get one installed in what seemed like relatively fast time frame, I see no reason why this can't be sped up. 

Jeff

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[Reza Michael Farhoodi]

Hi Jeff,

The project is set in stone and has been for awhile. PBOT and PDC have already signed the intergovernmental agreement to transfer the necessary capital funds. Please keep in mind that all 5 of the signals planned as part of this project have been identified as major community needs, so there is no need to try separating this one specific intersection, as it will not get built any quicker than the others. I also recently spoke with Mauricio Leclerc at PBOT and he told me that a contractor is due to be selected in the next few months so it looks like this project will finally get completed before the end of this year. Here's hoping.

Thanks,

Reza

--

Reza Michael Farhoodi

rmich...@gmail.com
301-452-4924

[Scott Kocher]

How about an email to PBOT re-emphasizing the urgency of the issue, and including a link to a short YouTube video? I have found that a video showing the problem can prompt a stronger response than an email by itself.

Scott