(September 29, 2017) After a successful summer of Better Naito, Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) crews will
begin removing the two-way bikeway and pedestrian path this weekend. Come
Monday, October 2 Naito’s standard configuration will return, with two
northbound vehicular lanes and one standard bike lane.
Every year the festivals in Tom McCall Waterfront Park draw
hundreds of thousands of people. The Better Naito project was first piloted in
2015 to help manage this influx of visitors, create a safe space for people to
travel to these events, and reduce conflicts between people walking and biking
and driving along the Waterfront. The success of the volunteer-led effort
championed by the non-profit Better Block PDX caught the attention of Portland
City Council. After two seasons of volunteer-led effort, Council designated $350,000
to PBOT to implement Better Naito for five seasons.
October 2 marks the end of PBOT’s first season spearheading
the project. Throughout the summer, PBOT staff worked to improve upon the
project and related Naito safety efforts, including installing a permanent new
pedestrian crossing at SW Naito and Main and a new bike and right turn signal
at NW Naito and Davis. Staff monitored bicycle and pedestrian usage throughout
the season, as well as northbound vehicle traffic and travel times.
By all markers, the season was a success, serving thousands
of people walking and biking with minor travel time impacts to people driving
in the northbound lane. Better Naito saw twice the cycling rates of the
Waterfront Path, reducing conflicts with pedestrians. During peak afternoon
traffic hours 1 in 3 northbound commuters were on bike. Travel times for people
driving northbound were consistent with previous summers, with trips taking
about one minute longer than without Better Naito. And with the addition of Better
Naito, Naito Parkway was not just for people driving or biking - over a
thousand people walked in the facility on the average non-event day. During
events, usage was even higher. On July 3, during Waterfront Blues Fest, over
15,000 people used Better Naito in a 24-hour period.
Check out the attached infographic for more fun facts and
data. PBOT will issue a more detailed report on Better Naito later this fall.
Anticipate some delays for northbound travel on Naito this
weekend as PBOT Maintenance Crews work to remove the white posts to store them
for the winter.
See you next May!
Learn more about Better Naito at www.betternaito.com.
The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is the steward of the City’s transportation system, and a community partner in shaping a livable city. We plan, build, manage and maintain an effective and safe transportation system that provides access and mobility. Learn more about the bureau at www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation
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