News Blog: PBOT releases draft Southwest in Motion Plan for public review

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Portland Bureau of Transportation

News media contact:

Hannah Schafer

(971) 235-8472

hannah.schafer@portlandoregon.gov

@pbotinfo

 

News Blog:

PBOT releases draft Southwest in Motion Plan for public review

Walking in Southwest Portland

People walk along SW Capitol Highway in the Hillsdale neighborhood in Southwest Portland. Photo by Nick Falbo, Portland Bureau of Transportation.

(April 17, 2019) The public review draft of Southwest in Motion (SWIM) is out! Like the Portland Bureau of Transportation’s (PBOT) other plans for active transportation, such as East Portland in Motion and Central City in Motion, SWIM is a realistic short-term action plan that identifies and prioritizes walking and biking projects for Southwest Portland. The public review draft of SWIM and an accompanying survey will be open for six weeks, through Friday, May 24.

The SWIM plan was developed with extensive public feedback from Southwest Portlanders. Over one thousand people used PBOT’s online mapping tool to provide their initial feedback on walking and biking priorities and needs in Southwest Portland. A stakeholder working group provided oversight and  their knowledge of the neighborhood to help fine tune projects. In addition, PBOT convened eight separate community focus groups to help staff identify infrastructure needs unique to specific communities. Participants included OHSU Campus Outreach, SW Trails, Markham Elementary Somali Families, Congregation Kesser Israel and others.

SWIM Project map

The recommended walking and biking network for Southwest Portland that was developed as part of the Southwest in Motion planning process.

The draft plan:

  • Identifies priority short term walking and biking projects, such as bike lanes, sidewalks, shoulders, and neighborhood greenways.
  • Lists short-term crossing enhancements, including enhanced and new crosswalk designs.
  • Discusses other potential road safety enhancements, including walkable shoulders and traffic calming.
  • Promotes key programs to support community-initiated projects, such as block parties, community plazas, and urban trails.
  • Recommends policies to advance walking and biking in Southwest Portland.

With continued population growth in Portland, Southwest Portlanders can play a major role making the City’s vision for a safe and sustainable transportation system a reality. In fact, today’s transportation trends suggest we are in the midst of a major transformation of how people get from place to place in Southwest Portland. Recent trends suggest that more and more people in Southwest Portland are choosing to get out of their cars and walk, bike, roll, or take transit instead. With the potential for major transportation investments on the horizon, what would it look like for Southwest Portland to be a place where every resident had a wide range of transportation options? By establishing a basic network for walking and biking, Southwest in Motion charts a course for a future Southwest Portland where residents have a range of safe and reliable transportation choices.

Ready to dig in? View the public review draft of Southwest in Motion, check out specific project details and descriptions from Appendix A, then take a quick survey and tell us what you think. Your feedback will be used to help further refine the SWIM Plan before it is shared with City Council. The City Council date for the final draft plan is not yet set.

Join our interested parties email list to receive a notice when a City Council date is confirmed by signing up on the SWIM website: www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/SWIM

click to view the draft SWIM plan

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. www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation