NE 33rd Avenue Petition
In June, neighbor Marjani Hendrickson prepared a petition urging the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) to address speeding on NE 33rd Avenue, particularly between Fremont Street and the crosswalk at Wilshire Park.
The BWNA board responded with a letter in support of the petition. The BWNA Transportation Committee reviewed the most recent public traffic data for NE 33rd at Dunckley (2013), which showed an average speed of 26 mph with 16% of drivers going 30 to 40 mph. The posted speed limit at the time was 30 mph. Given the recent crashes reported by neighbors, we requested that PBOT provide updated traffic and speed counts. PBOT agreed and will begin counting after school resumes to capture typical traffic conditions. Results are expected by late September.
The petition suggests PBOT consider several possible safety measures, including speed bumps, more radar speed signs, brighter crosswalk lighting, and increased enforcement. NE 33rd is a “district collector” street, designed to carry more traffic than neighborhood streets, connect to arterials, and accommodate freight and emergency vehicles. PBOT will have to weigh these factors when considering changes.
You can read and sign the petition at change.org/p/implement-safety-measures-on-ne-33rd-ave-portland.
NE Wistaria Drive Safety Update
Neighbors living on NE Wistaria Drive recently invited representatives from the city to view the unique challenges of the roadway there and discuss their experiences with ongoing property damage and pedestrian safety concerns. This part of the neighborhood has been an issue for many years, with some residents advocating for safety improvements since the 1970s.
Two PBOT traffic engineers and a representative from Councilor Dan Ryan’s office reviewed the area and answered questions. PBOT is developing a proposal to try to resolve traffic issues in this area within its limited means and current initiatives. There is concern that PBOT’s response will not be impactful enough to address the issues completely.
Traffic Safety Concerns? Contact PBOT
If you would like to voice your concerns about either of these areas or other parts of the neighborhood, call PBOT Customer Service at (503) 823-4000 or email them at 311@portlandoregon.gov to report safety concerns, unsafe crosswalks, and traffic issues around schools and to suggest infrastructure improvements (such as sidewalks or crosswalks) and improvements to signal timing, visibility, signage, or sight lines. You can also voice concerns about speeding issues; however, PBOT will not respond directly to those concerns while the citywide speed limit review is taking place.
As noted in previous articles, PBOT has significant budget issues, so response to these types of concerns can take up to two months.
Colin O’Neill is a BWNA board member and chairs the Transportation Committee. He’s lived in B-W with his wife and kids since 2008.