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I've been bike commuting from PSU to Goose Hollow everyday lately, and I've observed something that makes me fear for my life on SW Jefferson St.

Between SW 14th And SW 16th Ave the bike lane has a serious "washboard" texture to the outer 1/3(ish) portion (this extends into the traffic lane as well). To avoid this uncomfortable ride, cyclists are forced to ride in the lane, or DANGER CLOSE to parked cars in front of KGW's studio at 1442 SW Jefferson St.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6224/...2d988e91f3.jpg http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6228/...064d59162e.jpg
In these photos, you can see faint shadows created by the raised and recessed areas of the washboard.

My fear is that someday, if this isn't addressed, a cyclist will be bombing down that hill on their way to the Goose Hollow MAX stop, when someone unexpectedly exits their parked car. The cyclist then swerves to avoid the crash, or hits the door (and/or motorist), and ends up lying in the traffic lane with a car parked on top of them.

Can something be done to improve conditions here?

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Greetings K'Tesh,

Thank you for bringing your concern about the trail intersection of SE Salmon Street with the Eastbank Esplanade to our attention. We agree the intersection has some potential hazards for someone entering the area who is unaware of the cross traffic or at a high rate of speed, but we generally believe that all intersections require both bicyclists and pedestrians to slow down and pay close attention. However, we have taken a closer look at this particular intersection following your raising this concern.

Your concern was that cyclists might go over the stairs that run parallel to the western side of the Eastbank Esplanade after they cross the north/south running trail as they approach from SE Salmon Street. That we are aware of, this has never been a site of an accident, nor until now have we ever had such a concern brought to us in the roughly 10 years since the Eastbank Esplanade has been in use. SE Salmon Street extends under the freeway through a rather large and open covered space with a variety of obstacles that naturally encourage one to slow down and pay attention. The area has a variety of lights, including an overhead street lamp illuminating the stairs that are of concern. Understandably, during events, the congestion and different use patterns are different than everyday use, and could merit signage to prevent confusion or problems.

Still, we’ve given it some thinking, prompted by your voiced concern. Following a site meeting last week with our planner, engineer and operations supervisor, we made an immediate improvement prompted by your concern – we have removed some of the lower limbs of the trees/shrubs in the planter bed to the south of this intersection, to allow for greater visibility of northbound trail traffic.

We are also considering putting in some pavement markings on the eastern side of the Eastbank Esplanade trail that warn cyclists of the coming intersection as they pass under the freeway on the extension of SE Salmon Street toward the Eastbank. First, we want to discuss this with colleagues at PBOT and the original trail designer, who we have been working with for some months to address some different bike/pedestrian safety concerns along the Eastbank Esplanade, Waterfront Park and the RiverPlace Esplanade. As part of that effort, we will soon be putting up larger, more visible signs warning bicyclists to slow down on the esplanade.

Again, we thank you for bringing your concern to our attention.

Bryan
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Bryan Aptekar
West Service Zone Coordinator
Portland Parks & Recreation

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Somewhere just east of the tunnel on what I suspect is SW Canyon Road (could be SW Jefferson), is a series of "plugs" that have been removed from the road surface, and immediately in that area is a storm drain catchbasin in the painted bikelane/shoulder that intrudes well into the bikelane. This catchbasin has a nasty lip from a poorly done overlay (no attempt to "feather" the edge), which I fear could cause a cyclist such as myself to crash if they were to hit it while trying to avoid other traffic on their left. This is a regular part of the ZooBomb Hellway route.

In the google map street view linked below, the drain is located in the shadow of the tree. I haven't had an opportunity to take any pictures of it myself... yet.

http://g.co/maps/75u9t

On SW Barbur Blvd (across the street from 3007 SW Barbur Blvd.) is another deeply recessed catchbasin that intrudes into the bike lane. I've complained about this drain for years... (and at least 3 bicycles ago.)

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3161/2...65108631c8.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3152/2...ca14d3d39e.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3229/5...2b4d745a97.jpg

Since the first photo (taken in 4 years ago in 2008 ), I've had 3 new bikes. Oh, and the drain's useless (it's completely plugged up).


It's been 4 years... Any idea on how long it will take before something (shy lines, abandonment and fill?) gets done (other than a traffic cone being stuck in it)?

Replies Requested...

Thanks

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From: "HAMILTON Don"
Subject: Hall Street
Date: January 11, 2012 12:23:58 PM PST
To: "Jonathan Maus" <***********@bikeportland.org>


Jonathan:

We did the repairs to that Hall Street catch basin yesterday.

See the attached photo.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7152/6...3765d101dc.jpg

As always, call if you need anything.

Don Hamilton
ODOT Region 1 PIO

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I reported these grates last year during Winter Term at PSU... Well, it's been nearly a year, and NOTHING was done.

These grates have gaps that are so wide and deep that they easily can capture my bicycle's front wheel and prop the bike up. SW Clay isn't a quiet street, and a falling cyclist could be thrown into traffic. A wheelchairist crossing SW Park here at SW Clay could get caught and trapped as a car turns NB on SW Park.

Two are located on the eastern SW Park (northbound), and one on the western SW Park (southbound). In some of the photos, I've placed my Victorinox Swiss Army, Ranger Model, Pocket Knife to show scale. The knife is narrower than my front wheel, but wider than a road bike's wheel.

Photos from January 28, 2011:

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5176/5...930d136996.jpg http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5095/5...21023d16e3.jpg

Photos from January 24, 2012:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7173/6...dc00910468.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7007/6...43f0313acc.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7168/6...e726386bf7.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7149/6...8bdfa5afdb.jpg

Before someone gets hurt here, I'd recommend some kind of shim be welded in place to prevent wheels from getting caught, or better fitting
grates be installed.

Replies Greatly Appreciated

K'Tesh

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