Comments

1
The general idea is that we want a diversity of transportation options so that we avoid the traffic problems that occur in Seattle or LA. Both cities where the roads have historically expanded to meet the needs of more car commuters, encouraging more car commuters, which need roads expanded to meet the needs of more car commuters...

Whereas if we concentrate housing that is closer, and encourage mass transit, we can learn from problems that have plagued other cities and come up with better solutions.

In short, many of us would rather live in Helsinki than Los Angeles.
2
I think only people in Portland who bike to work don't want to relieve their bottleneck. Those of us who drive through it would rather not sit in bumper to bumper.
4
Adding freeway lanes does not relieve traffic congestion -- it only encourages drivers to live farther and farther away. Numerous studies have proved that massive freeway expansion projects are feckless boondoggles with years and years of work zone slowdowns and -- ultimately -- no relief of traffic congestion. Live closer to your workplace or move to Kansas or Oklahoma or some small Texas town where they understand you.
6
I'll answer the question as though it's sincere, although a few minutes spent internet searching should have answered it. Solving "the" bottleneck would just move it to another area further up or down the highway. It's unlikely that Moda Center or Oregon Convention Center will ever be moved, so the bottleneck there will continue to exist. It is unlikely the funds will ever be available to expand so much of I-5 that there is no bottleneck.

Also, "induced demand" as mentioned already is created when freeways are widened. It leads to more traffic, and future congestion, more than it relieves congestion. Do we want to be like Atlanta or LA? Most people would agree that would be bad.

Maybe the problem is that you don't live near where you work, or work near where you live.
7
"Maybe the problem is that you don't live near where you work, or work near where you live."

Jobs change and housing is phenomenally expensive. Perhaps the elite newcomers can pick where they live and work, but those of us who have been here a while don't have the luxury to move every time the job market winds change.

Perhaps we should focus on better public transportation options and accessibility rather than assuming the miles someone lives from their current job is a choice and not a necessity.

Please wait...

Comments are closed.

Commenting on this item is available only to members of the site. You can sign in here or create an account here.


Add a comment
Preview

By posting this comment, you are agreeing to our Terms of Use.