Love Our Arts & Culture Coverage?
You can help fund it!

Give now

c3Category — Transportation & Urban Planning
Posted inNews

TriMet’s Present Crisis, and Uncertain Future

Portland’s public transit agency’s budget crunch is forcing major cuts to bus and MAX service. 
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

This story has been updated to clarify the sources of payroll tax revenue TriMet receives.  TriMet is facing a $300 million budget gap, and it’s unclear when—or if—the public transit agency can expect any new funding to help fill the void. As a result, the agency is planning to make some major cuts, set to […]

Posted inNews

Drive-Thru Debacle Threatens to Keep Historic Dairy Queen in a Deep Freeze

A franchisee has been duking it out with the city over his right to keep a drive-thru at an ice cream shop on SE Division.
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

Over the past few years, Portlanders have heard little about the plan to rebuild the old Dairy Queen on Southeast Division and 56th Ave. The Dairy Queen, which was demolished in 2019 after more than 50 years in business, was always supposed to be reborn in its spot across the street from Franklin High School. […]

Posted inPhoto Essay

PHOTO ESSAY: Riding in a Winter Wonderland

Every year Portland International Raceway lights up with holiday cheer—for cars and bikes alike.
Avatar photo Corbin Smith

In 1993, the Portland International Raceway—the city’s premier racing venue—installed a bunch of Christmas light displays around its track and invited people to drive through, luxuriating in the glow of holiday joy. It’s possible I was in attendance that very same year: my father, a street racer in his youth, was certainly aware of PIR […]

Posted inNews

“We’re Investing for the Long Term”: How the Future of Portland’s Historic Albina District is Coming Together

The 1803 Fund is dedicating $70 million to Albina redevelopment amid a broader period of investment in Portland’s historically Black district.
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

It’s been decades since a series of construction projects transformed Portland’s historic Albina district, dismantling the thriving enclave that was once the beating heart of the city’s Black community. Now, years of planning to revitalize the inner North and Northeast Portland district are coming to fruition, bringing hope for Albina’s rebirth—even as questions linger over […]

Posted inWinter Guide 2025

STREET VIEW: The Art of Riding in the Rain

How to convert from fair weather cyclist to year-round commuter.
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

[What follows is one of the many merry articles in the Mercury’s Winter Guide 2025. Find a print copy here, subscribe to get a copy mailed to you here, and if you’re feeling generous this holiday season, support us here.—eds.] Riding your bike in the rain can suck. Still, it’s very possible to maintain your […]

Posted inNews

Portlanders Gather to Mourn and Demand Action on Day of Remembrance for Traffic Crash Victims

People who lost loved ones to traffic violence gathered Sunday at an annual event to honor the lives lost, and encourage others to take action to save lives.
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

Joe Stone was 25 when he was hit by a driver while trying to cross the street near his home in 2013. Danielle Sale died in 2010, at the age of 22. Henry Zietlow was 18 when he was killed in a traffic crash in 2019. Seamus DuBarry was just 22 months old when he […]

Posted inNews

Transportation Funding Bill Opponents Launch Last-Ditch Effort to Halt Tax Increases

Governor Tina Kotek signed a transportation package into law Monday. The same day, a group of opponents filed a petition to refer the bill’s tax increases back to Oregon voters, hoping they’ll reject them. 
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

Governor Tina Kotek signed a new state transportation funding package into law on Monday, more than a month after the Oregon Legislature passed the bill during a dramatic, extended special session. Later that day, two state legislators and an anti-tax advocate filed a petition with the state in hopes of sending a referendum on the […]

Posted inNews

Portlanders Say “Yes” to Parks Levy in Early Special Election Results

The levy would help fund Portland Parks & Recreation services. If not approved, the bureau would face a major budget shortfall.
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

Early results show Portlanders voted to approve a new levy to help fund the city’s parks services. As of 10 pm on November 4, almost 54 percent of Portland voters said “yes” to Measure 26-260, which would set up a new parks levy to be in place for five years. County data show roughly 29.7 […]

Posted inNews

“Not a Rubber Stamp”: Portland City Council Questions Settlement in Bike Bill Lawsuit

The plaintiffs and city attorney expected quick agreement over a $6 million settlement. It appears City Council had other ideas.
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

In a move lawyers called “highly unusual,” Portland City Council declined to accept the terms of a legal settlement over the city’s adherence to the Oregon Bike Bill, which had been negotiated by the city attorney. Now, the $6 million settlement—which would be used for bike infrastructure projects around the city—is in jeopardy.  News of […]

Posted inNews

Councilor Dan Ryan Breaks From Colleagues, Says “No” to Parks Levy

Ryan, who previously served as the commissioner in charge of Portland’s parks bureau, voted in July to refer the parks levy measure to voters. He now says he can’t support it. 
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

In an email newsletter last week, Portland City Councilor Dan Ryan came out against the ballot measure that would create a new, increased levy to help fund the city’s parks system. In the newsletter, Ryan—who oversaw Portland’s parks bureau for a period of time prior to the city’s government transition—said he supports the city’s parks. […]

Posted inNews

November’s Special Election Will Determine the Future of Portland Parks

Portlanders are being asked to approve a new, increased parks levy to fund the city’s parks system. If the measure doesn’t pass, the city will be forced to make major cuts.
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

Portland’s parks and natural areas are integral to the city’s identity, but the city’s parks system faces major financial challenges, including a massive maintenance backlog and generally unsustainable funding mechanisms.   In a special election this fall, voters will be asked to approve a new, five-year levy to stop the bleeding at Portland Parks & Recreation […]

Posted inNews

It’s Been 10 Years Since Portland Adopted Vision Zero. What’s Changed?

Portland has struggled to address the rising traffic fatalities on city streets. Leaders are now hoping for a Vision Zero renaissance. 
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

Portland first adopted the Vision Zero approach to ending traffic fatalities and serious injuries on city streets in 2015. In the decade since, hundreds of people have died in traffic crashes in Portland, and many more have been gravely hurt.  But Portland isn’t giving up on Vision Zero. At least, that’s what City Council indicated […]

Gift this article