Pacific Northwest

June 26, 2019 Update: All eyes are on the Oregon Legislature as the 2019 Session comes to a close. Although we had hoped for a statewide policy to reduce diesel emissions and phase out old dirty diesel engines this session, HB 2007 has been limited to the tri-county area. Still, the bill is a meaninful step forward and necessary to allocate remaining VW Settlement funds. HB 2007 has successfully passed the House and, along with many other important bills, awaits the Senate to resume its business.

Following a tragic pedestrian fatality earlier this year, the Central Lane MPO has committed funds to begin making safety improvements along the Beaver-Hunsaker Corridor in North Eugene. While resources were already programmed for 2021 to begin designing significant long-term improvements for the corridor, policy makers heard loud and clear that the community couldn’t wait any longer to get serious about safety.

SKATS, the designated MPO for the Salem-Keizer region, has released the 2019-2043 Regional Transportation Systems Plan (RTSP) for public review. The RTSP is the long-term guide that identifies priority transportation investments and is only updated every four years.  We’ve submitted comments requesting that the RTSP is strengthened in the following areas:

In 2017, the city of Portland received local speed setting authority from the Oregon Legislature to reduce residential speeds from 25 to 20 mph. A rigorous “20 is Plenty” campaign and 2,100 new speed signs later, Portland has made significant strides towards slowing down cars. Meanwhile, other Oregon communities are interested in getting their own speed setting authority, including Eugene which recently adopted a 5-year Vision Zero Action Plan.

SKATS, the designated MPO for the Salem-Keizer region, has released the 2019-2043 Regional Transportation Systems Plan (RTSP) for public review. The RTSP is the long-term guide that identifies priority transportation investments and is only updated every four years.  The SKATS Policy Committee met last week to review a draft RTSP, and unanimously voted to release the draft RTSP for public review.

In November 2015, the Eugene City Council passed a Vision Zero Resolution that directed the City Manager to form a Vision Zero task force that includes community stakeholders. The task force and a technical advisory committee were charged with developing a Vision Zero Action Plan to be adopted by the City. Since 2015, these groups and an equity focus group have been working together to develop a five-year Action Plan, which was adopted last month by the City Manager.

Are you thinking about applying for an Oregon Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Non-Infrastructure Grant this spring? Considering the ODOT Rapid Response Program? The Safe Routes Partnership wants to help! We may be able to provide technical assistance to help your agency in meeting grant requirements before the deadline this May. Our team can provide support in clarifying grant criteria, providing proposal development tips, and reviewing your application.