The standard of Portland’s central metropolis bike community simply received loads higher because of a brand new connection between SW Naito Parkway and SW Important.
For those who’ve been paying consideration, you realize that the Portland Bureau of Transportation has not too long ago improved bikeways on NW Naito Parkway (aka “Higher Naito”) and on SW Important. “Improved” is an unlimited understatement on the subject of Naito Parkway, since the 1.5-mile protected bike lane is without doubt one of the greatest in all the metropolis (and a nationwide nonprofit simply named it top-of-the-line within the nation). And SW Important, the road that the westbound Hawthorne Bridge bike path dumps you onto, was not too long ago upgraded with a bus/bike solely lane, loads of secure area across the Elk Fountain, and different bike-oriented enhancements between SW 1st and Broadway.
The issue was these bikeways was that they didn’t join to one another. For those who had been on Naito and needed to move west into downtown by way of SW Important, there was no direct option to do it. Till now!
I’m joyful to report that Multnomah County has simply constructed a superb connection between Naito and Important that now provides us a comparatively secure bikeway all the best way from the river to the north Park Blocks.
The brand new bikeway is about 250-feet lengthy and it runs alongside a parking zone adjoining to the west aspect of the Hawthorne Bridge. Previous to this undertaking there was solely a brick sidewalk between Naito and Important on this location. It’s a casual cut-through that you just might need used earlier than — but it surely required you to journey by means of a parking zone or on a sidewalk. Now there’s a shiny inexperienced bike path put in on the northern portion of the parking zone (love the truth that we took automotive area to make this!). There’s bodily separation from parked vehicles with a iron fence and there’s a concrete curb that separates it from the sidewalk.
Entry to the brand new bike path from Naito is simple. For those who’re on the “Higher Naito” bikeway, you can also make a two-stage flip at a crosswalk between Salmon and the Hawthorne Bridge. Presently there’s a pedestrian “beg button” to activate the sign and it’s not an excellent fast change, so I’ve a hunch PBOT nonetheless plans to put in a extra delicate sign that can acknowledge bike riders. PBOT has added “cross bike” striping to the present crosswalk that helps direct riders onto the brand new bike path. It’s a easy transition as much as the trail and it delivers you very properly to the intersection of SW Important and 1st. In case you are utilizing the southbound bike lane on Naito, you possibly can simply pop proper onto the brand new path. (I’ve a hunch this direct connection may encourage extra individuals to make use of the previous, door-zone bike lane as an alternative of Higher Naito in the event that they plan to move into downtown.)
Fortunately we don’t have to fret about right-hooks on the SW 1st intersection as a result of it’s one-way southbound. Talking of one-ways, this new path is designed to solely serve westbound bike visitors as a result of SW Important can be one-way westbound. That being mentioned, as a result of it’s so good and broad (I estimate at the least 10-feet or so), we should always count on oncoming visitors hear from individuals strolling and rolling eastbound.
I additionally observed that each time I used the sign at Naito to cross into the brand new bike lane I received a inexperienced sign at 1st and Important. Unsure if that’s by design (hello Peter!) or simply luck, however I preferred it loads.
I’m very enthusiastic about this as a result of on the subject of constructing a top quality bike community, a small piece that connects bigger items has exponential worth. Once you add this connection to the protected bike lanes on Naito Parkway, the latest bike upgrades on SW Important, and the new protected lane on SW Broadway, you have got one thing very particular. It’s these sort of connections that may assist Portland go from good-to-great in bicycling phrases. (Examine the pics above the place you possibly can see from Waterfront Park to Broadway in a single body.)
Kudos to Multnomah county for making this occur. For those who’ve ridden it but, tell us what you suppose.
CORRECTION, 11:43 am: This story initially acknowledged that the undertaking was carried out by PBOT. That was incorrect. It was a Multnomah County undertaking. Sorry for any confusion.
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