Todd Mobley
A quick note to support Susan's message...
I'm the owner of a local traffic engineering and transportation planning
firm that does a lot of work in Washington County and Susan is exactly
right. There has been a lot of attention to active transportation modes in
Washington County lately, but the gap between policy and implementation is
*very* large. There is still a very strong automobile-based "big, wide, and
fast" mentality in play. Changing perspectives is a slow process, and while
it can be frustrating, it won't happen at all if we don't engage in the
process.
See you out there,
-Todd
Todd E. Mobley, PE, PTOE | Principal
Lancaster Engineering | www.lancasterengineering.com
321 SW 4th Avenue, Suite 400 | Portland, OR 97204
O: 503-248-0313 | C: 503-319-9811 | todd@lancasterengineering.com
On Fri, Dec 13, 2013 at 11:09 AM, Susan Otcenas wrote:
>
>
>
> Friends,
>
> I should add that in general I've been impressed with the stated support
> for bicycling and pedestrian projects by the county. There are quite a
> few county staff involved pushing the agenda. There's also wide support
> by the Citizen's Advisory Committee.
>
> BUT, the motor vehicle rules the roost (and the TSP), and not
> surprisingly the plan calls for lots of big roads, fast roads, wide
> roads, all of which are designed to "reduce congestion", "reduce travel
> time" and increase vehicle throughput. There are big employers out here
> with lots of sway that are very vocal about the "need" to get people to
> work by motor vehicle. And frankly, there is a not-small percentage of
> vocal residents that couldn't give a $h!t about bikes and peds, and just
> want to get where they want to go as fast as possible, vulnerable
> roadway users be damned.
>
> While there are bicycle and pedestrian strategies in the plan, my
> overwhelming feeling is that those methods will see continued
> on-the-ground de-prioritization as travel modes when push comes to shove
> as projects get developed.
>
> It is therefore absolutely critical that citizens let the county know
> (in a positive way) that bicycling, walking, and transit are important
> to them personally. That those things increase the livability of our
> community, and make us want to live, work and play here. That if safe,
> convenient and accessible alternatives to single occupancy vehicles are
> available, we will take advantage of them.
>
> If you own a business in the county, let county staff and your
> commissioners know that getting your employees to work by bike, ped, and
> transit is important to you.
>
> You can do this by attending an open house, by writing a letter to your
> county commissioner or to Dyami Valentine (the planner listed below) and
> by educating yourself on projects coming down the line in areas where
> you live or ride.
>
> For more information on the TSP Update, you can visit the county's
> website at:
> http://www.co.washington.or.us/LUT/Divisions/LongRangePlanning/PlanningP
> rograms/TransportationPlanning/Transportation2035/
>
> Thanks for your time,
>
>
> Susan
>
> ***********************************************
> Susan Otcenas
> Team Estrogen, Inc.
> www.TeamEstrogen.com
> 877-310-4592
> ***********************************************
> Follow our TE fan page on Facebook!
> Look for "teamestrogen.com"
> ***********************************************
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
> Behalf Of T. Kenji Sugahara
> Sent: Thursday, December 12, 2013 10:28 PM
> To: Scott Kocher
> Cc:
> Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] FW: Washington County Transportation System
> Plan January Open Houses
>
> Agreed with Susan and Scott-
>
> Step up and be heard- make a difference!
>
> k-
>
> On Thu, Dec 12, 2013 at 9:13 PM, Scott Kocher
> wrote:
> > This is very important. We need people to go and explain that
> everyone's favorite WACO routes need to be protected and problem spots
> need improvement. Thank you for stepping up, Susan.
> >
> > From
> > Susan Otcenas
> >
> >
> > Hello All,
> >
> > As some of you may know, I serve on the Citizen's Advisory Committee
> > for Washington County's 2035 Transportation System Plan Update.
> > Washington county is holding a series of community open houses to give
>
> > the public an opportunity to learn more about that plan update and to
> > provide a forum to give the county feedback.
> >
> > If you ride a bicycle in Washington County, be it for work OR play,
> > you should care about this process.
> >
> > The county is (and is expected to continue to be) one of the fastest
> > growing in the state, with significant projected increases in the
> > number of jobs, homes and residents. And that means finding ways to
> > move people between Points A, B & C.
> >
> > As cyclists, most of are us interested to see active transportation,
> > as well as multi-modal transportation, play a siginificant role in the
>
> > development of the county's road system. Make sure your voices and
> > opinions are heard by turning up at one of these events.
> >
> > Thanks for your time!
> >
> > Susan
> >
> > ***********************************************
> > Susan Otcenas
> > Team Estrogen, Inc.
> > www.TeamEstrogen.com
> > 877-310-4592
> > ***********************************************
> > Follow our TE fan page on Facebook!
> > Look for "teamestrogen.com"
> > ***********************************************
> > ________________________________
> >
> > From: Dyami Valentine [mailto:Dyami_Valentine@co.washington.or.us]
> > Sent: Thursday, December 12, 2013 4:23 PM
> > To: Dyami Valentine
> > Subject: Washington County Transportation System Plan January Open
> > Houses
> >
> > The county needs your help creating a future vision for the
> > transportation system.
> > The transportation system of roads, sidewalks, bikeways, trails,
> > transit, and all the other elements necessary to move people and goods
>
> > efficiently throughout the county represents a huge public investment.
> > Planning the future transportation system is critical to achieving
> > local and regional goals over the next 20 years. The county is
> > updating the long-range Transportation System Plan that establishes
> > the framework for future decisions about how we invest in our
> > transportation system. The goal is to create a well-connected, highly
> > livable, sustainable community that provides a range of transportation
>
> > choices, and addresses important transportation issues in our region.
> > We need your help to do it.
> >
> > Get Involved!
> > Attend one of four open houses in January to learn more about the
> > project and give us your feedback.
> >
> > January 7
> > NORTH COUNTY Beaverton/Cedar Mill/Bethany area
> > 4 -8 pm, Christ United Church in Cedar Mill 12755 NW Dogwood St.,
> > Portland 97229
> >
> > January 15
> > WEST COUNTY Hillsboro/Forest Grove/Cornelius area
> > 4 -8 pm, Public Services Building (cafeteria) 155 N. First Avenue,
> > Hillsboro 97124
> >
> > January 21
> > SOUTH COUNTY Tigard/Tualatin/Sherwood area
> > 4 -8 pm, Tigard Christian Church 13405 SW Hall Blvd., Tigard 97223
> >
> > January 30
> > EAST COUNTY Central Beaverton/Aloha/Metzger/Garden Home area
> > 4 -8 pm, St. Mary's Valley Catholic High School 4275 SW 148th Avenue,
> > Beaverton 97007
> >
> > We strive to make our events accessible to all. Sign language,
> > translation, and other services are available upon advance request.
> > Please contact Dyami Valentine (below) for more information.
> >
> > For more information visit www.tsp2035.com or contact Dyami Valentine,
>
> > Sr. Planner, Washington County Department of Land Use &
> > Transportation, at dyami_valentine@co.washington.or.us or
> > 503-846-3821.
> >
> >
> > Dyami Valentine
> >
> > Senior Planner | Planning and Development Services
> >
> > Washington County Department of Land Use & Transportation
> >
> > 503.846.3821
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > OBRA mailing list
> > obra@list.obra.org
> > http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> > Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
> >
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