The Metro Council has prioritized the corridor connecting Troutdale, Wood Village, Fairview and Gresham for analysis for multimodal transportation improvements.
The transportation corridor, or travel demand area, includes the main streets that provide access between Interstate 84 and U.S. Route 26/Powell Boulevard as well as the transit service and bicycle and pedestrian routes that support movement in and through the corridor. The study will determine how to improve connectivity between I-84 and Highway 26 for freight and local trips with improved access within and between existing neighborhoods.
Metro and is beginning work with Multnomah County, Oregon Department of Transportation and the cities of Gresham, Troutdale, Fairview and Wood Village to further define the needs of and goals for the corridor. Conversations with local, state and federal partners will focus on creating a work plan and confirming funding for the investment analysis. The analysis will address the comprehensive multimodal needs of the corridor in relation to land use goals and employment and housing density, including auto and freight movement, transit, bicycle and pedestrian access and facilities.
The investment analysis will build on previous analysis of the corridor and regional and local land use goals. The most promising solutions will advance to an alternatives analysis where environmental, transportation, community and cost benefits and trade-offs are evaluated and shared for public review and comment. Only after the project partners identify the alternatives, study their benefits and trade-offs, and gather input from residents in the corridor will decision-makers determine the final project or projects for the corridor. Based on these decisions, improvements could begin, at earliest, in 2013.
Throughout the entire process, project partners will share information with the public, send notifications to property owners and interested persons and announce project milestones and opportunities to provide input.
This corridor was identified as part of a long-range vision for high capacity transit - light rail, commuter rail, bus rapid transit or rapid streetcar. This analysis will recognize the long-term potential for a high capacity transit improvement, but not focus on a high capacity transit solution with this study.