4. Recommendations

CHAPTER FOUR: TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS

Overall Concept:

• Work with partners to improve TFR (jurisdictions, , advocacy groups, property owners, neighborhood residents)
• Publish an overall “vision plan” document for the study area
• Divide the study area into planning segments
• Implement in phases

Phase One (easy):

• Use existing side streets & unimproved ROWs both north and south of TFR to create safe side routes for Bikes & Peds. Several overgrown ROW sections must be cleared to make the side routes accessible (see map for details)
• Install permanent maps at key locations to inform neighborhood about side routes
• Clear plant encroachments on existing TFR ROW by working with property owners first, then City enforcement second
• Spread fine gravel on selected TFR shoulder areas to improve ped conditions
• Work with jurisdictions (ODOT, Metro, PDOT, City of Tigard and Washington County) to better manage traffic impacts on TFR (such as speed, use of TFR as a diversion route)
• Require new development on TFR to install interim pedestrian paths and sign a waiver of remonstrance for full improvements when feasible
• Request traffic calming techniques & infrastructure improvements such as:
• Speed enforcement by police
• Speed enforcement by automated, self-contained reader boards
• Speed enforcement by photo radar
• Curb extensions at key locations
• Four-way stop signs at 55th & 62nd

Phase Two (not so easy):

• Widen road base to make room for bike lanes
• Apply new asphalt, stripe for bike lanes
• Build simple, separated ped paths that meet ADA requirements
• Develop “Green Street” stormwater management solutions
• Add left turn lanes on TFR at the traffic signal at 48th

Phase Three (more challenging; longer term)

• Seek funding to pay for engineering plans to widen the narrow land bridge (just west of Capitol Hwy)
• Seek funding to build wider land bridge
• Work with City of Tigard and Washington County to insure TFR is not inundated with traffic
• Work with ODOT to consider changing Capitol Hwy exit to alternate location
• Seek funding to eventually build complete TSP project #90064

PLANNING SEGMENTS

The Task Force identified four planning segments along the road, each with its own characteristics.

Planning Segments (from east to west)

1. Capitol Hwy. To 48th (Capitol Hwy. To traffic signal) This segment has a rudimentary three-foot wide asphalt path for pedestrians on the south side. Constraints: existing earthen fill over canyon leaves no room for bike lanes.
2. 48th to 55th (traffic signal to little store). This segment has a variety of right-of-way widths ranging from 73 to 56 feet. Constraints: narrow 56 ft. ROW from 50th to 55th; laurel bushes overgrow into r-o-w impedes pedestrians. No stormwater ditches.
3. 55th to 64th (little store to City/County line). Constraints: south side has plenty of room but the topography and stormwater ditch would require expensive engineering. A pedestrian path on the north side would be easier to install.
4. 64th and Beyond. PDOT has not fully appreciated the affect of Washington County growth patterns on TFR. However, residents are well aware of the high traffic volume from Washington County to get to and from the I-5 freeway, especially during the morning and evening rush hours. Washington County is a shotgun pointed at Taylors Ferry Road.

PARALLEL SIDE ROUTES FOR BIKES & PEDS

In developing the Taylors Ferry Road Vision Plan the Task Force identified two side routes for pedestrians and bicyclists. These parallel routes are on quiet local streets on both the north and south sides of TFR. The only thing stopping the realization of these routes are a few blockades of overgrown vegetation and some grading work to be done in a few ROW sections. The side routes are less expensive options that can be done sooner and with low cost. The side routes are on local streets with low traffic. They would provide a quieter, less congested setting for both cyclists and pedestrians. Both routes begin at the intersection of Capitol Highway and Taylors Ferry and end at SW 65th Avenue (the County line). See map and text for details.

South Side Route

The south side route begins on Taylors Ferry going west from Capitol Highway following the existing path on the south side of the road. Go west to the signal at SW 48th Avenue and turn left (south) onto SW 49th. Continue on 49th, which turns into SW Alfred St. overlooking the freeway. Proceed on Alfred to SW 55th Avenue. Turn right on 55th, go up a moderate hill to Wilbard St. Turn left onto SW Wilbard St. and go to SW 61st. At 61st turn right for one block to Evelyn St. Turn left onto Evelyn St and go to SW 65th. Turn right at 65th, go one block north to Taylors Ferry Road. This links to the north side route.

Improvements Needed to Open South Side Route

• There are only a couple of stretches of rough, unimproved road conditions and some plant encroachments.
• Clear plant encroachments on Wilbard St. from SW 59th to SW 61st (2 blocks). Note: a truck and boat appear to be stored in the ROW in this area.
• Grade ROW on Alfred St. from 54th to 55th (very rough conditions).
• Grade ROW on Wilbard St. from 59th to 61st.
• Grade ROW on SW 65th from SW Evelyn St. to Taylors Ferry (1 block).
• Install permanent signs showing the entire route.
• Notes
• This route is approximately 1.5 miles in length (compared to 1.1 miles on Taylors Ferry Road).
• Dickinson Park lies in the middle of the south side route at SW Alfred St. and SW 55th Ave. This would also serve as a safe route to and from the park.

North Side Route (Brugger Street)

The north side route begins on Taylors Ferry heading west from Capitol Highway following the existing path up the hill to SW 48th Avenue. Turn right on 48th and go one block north. Turn left onto Brugger Street. Brugger Street runs parallel to Taylors Ferry Road all the way to SW 65th. Turn left on 65th for one block to Taylors Ferry. This links to the south side route.

Improvements Needed to Open North Side Route

• Plant encroachments and unimproved ROW conditions occur in several places along Brugger. These conditions completely block pedestrian movement. As it appears now Brugger ROW is easily mistaken for private land.
• 48th – 50th: No work needed; open and paved.
• 49th – 50th: ROW hard to distinguish. Wooded; encroachment by neighbor’s fences into ROW. Enforce ROW lines; remove plant encroachments (leave trees), create a footpath.
• 50th – 51st: No work needed; open and paved.
• 51st – 52nd: first half of block is open and paved; second half is overgrown and has a small footpath. Clear plant encroachments; improve footpath.
• 52nd – 53rd: first half of block is open and paved; second half is wooded with some plant encroachments; no footpath visible. Clear plant encroachments (leave most trees); create a footpath.
• 53rd – 54th: first half of block is paved and open; second half is overgrown and very rough. Clear plant encroachments, grade ROW; create a footpath.
• 54th – 55th: first half encroached with manicured lawn; second half encroached with wild plant growth; no footpath visible. Enforcement probably required; mark ROW; perhaps clear lawn; clear wild plant encroachment; install footpath.
• 55th – 58th: some grading needed to improve conditions for walking.
• 65th between Brugger Street and Taylors Ferry (1 block): some grading needed to improve walking conditions
• Install permanent signs showing the entire route.

Notes

• Both north and south side routes form one large scenic loop, which we expect would be very popular with residents.
• We believe most residents would prefer to keep most of these north side unimproved ROW for peds and bikes only; inaccessible to vehicles.
• May need to place boulders or posts to prevent vehicles from using these newly opened stretches.
• The City asks that Task Force representatives conduct specific outreach and education to residents along the affected north and side route areas where encroachments need to be removed.

Benefits of Parallel Side Routes (In Comparison To Taylors Ferry Plan)

• Less expensive.
• Less construction and disruption to neighborhoods.
• More scenic. The routes pass through more vegetative areas including a park.
• May boost neighborhood interaction as routes use side roads through neighborhoods.
• Connects neighborhoods where the streets are currently blocked off.

Disadvantages of Alternative Routes (In Comparison To Taylors Ferry Plan)

• Does not address the needs of improving Taylors Ferry, the main artery through the neighborhoods.
• Less direct, longer routes.
• More physically challenging with steeper hills and sharper curves.

Parallel Side Routes Map

(Map Omitted)

TFR Proposed Cross Section Drawing

(Drawing Omitted)

TFR Proposed Plan View Drawing

(Drawing Omitted)

“GREEN STREET” STORMWATER MANAGEMENT

The TFR study area includes two important tributaries in the Fanno Creek Watershed that the neighborhoods have been actively working to protect and restore, namely: Woods Creek and Ash Creek. Any improvements based on the TFR Vision Plan should be consistent with the goals of the Fanno Creek Watershed Plan, River Renaissance, and the BES Stormwater Management Manual.

Portland has built several sustainable, “Green Street” projects around the City to reduce the negative impacts of stormwater runoff. Green Streets allow stormwater management within the right-of-way and provides environmental, aesthetic and cost benefits. Here are some interesting facts:

• Streets make up 25% of the City’s total land area and account for 1/2 of the total impervious area.
• Street runoff carries sediments, nutrients, oil, grease, heavy metals, and toxins and increases water temperatures.
• Green Streets can infiltrate stormwater, reduce pollutant loads, and slow flows.
• Green street design can reduce impervious coverage by 11% when compared with a traditional street design. A Seattle Green Street design reduced the total volume of stormwater from a 2 year storm event by 98%.
• Green streets designed with natural drainage systems such as swales, generally cost 10 to 20% less than streets designed with traditional curbs, gutters, catch basins asphalt and sidewalks.

The Task Force is interested to work with BES to develop innovative “Green Street” projects along Taylors Ferry Road and/or the North and South Parallel Side Routes.

The City’s Endangered Species Act Program has the following vision statement that bears repeating:

“Portland’s urban form supports both a thriving economy and natural processes that maintain healthy ecosystems. Portland protects and restores properly functioning habitat conditions throughout its watersheds to support abundant, self-sustaining populations of native fish and wildlife. These efforts enhance the livability and vitality of Portland for its citizens and help meet the City’s obligations under the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, Superfund, Safe Drinking Water Act and other laws.”

The wide ROW and old-style ditches on Taylors Ferry Road make this a great location for enhancing stormwater management features while we also improve ped and bike conditions.