October 2011 NEWS The Southwest Portland Post • 7 Speed bumps also sought for Corbett Avenue and Garden Home Road (Continued from Page 1) many places, but it’s not appropri- ate here,” he said. Raisman replied, “I don’t dis- agree, our preference is asphalt, but if the funding falls short, we’ll do what we can.” Raisman added, “Only 70 percent of city streets have sidewalks. Bringing the rest up to standard would cost $1.5 billion. “We’re concentrating on the ma- jor streets like Barbur, 82 nd and Glisan.” Maplewood was chosen for improvements in part because of its Safer Routes to School program, Raisman said. Miles Court resident Bill Mallon argued that speed bumps weren’t necessary on his part of the street. “There’s not enough traffic to war- rant it,” he said. “Other than oc- casional UPS trucks, there isn’t a problem.” Having to negotiate the bumps daily would take a toll on his car, he said. Another Miles Court resident, Greg Kuelgen, said, “I disagree. Traffic goes very fast on the hill.” Ronda Zakocs, active in the Safer Routes to School program, said, “All the speed bumps are on the routes of our walking school buses (in which children walk roped together and accompanied by adults). The num- ber one danger is lack of facilities. We put ourselves in danger every time we walk these routes.” The Portland Bureau of Trans- portation is also proposing speed bumps along two other southwest streets. In one case, neighbors are solidly behind the idea and wish they had more. In another, the bumps have divided the commu- nity. In both cases, veteran transpor- tation planner Will Stevens is in charge. Last month he presented plans to the South Portland Neigh- borhood Association for plans for seven bumps on Southwest Corbett Avenue between Boundary and Ne- braska streets. Here, Stevens said, the average speed is more than five miles per hour above the posted 25 miles per hour limit. Stevens noted that 15 years ago the City had installed curb exten- sions and traffic islands on this part of Corbett, “but it was not affecting vehicular speeds the way we hoped it would.” Stevens and South Portland chair Ken Love said last month’s presen- tation was made because the City’s notice of the project failed to specify exactly where the bumps would be placed, and some residents com- plained about this. With the exception of the notice issue, residents greeted news of the project enthusiastically. Some resi- dents asked that the traffic calming be extended northward to South- west Hamilton Street; one woman said that on this part of Corbett, “Traffic goes really fast.” Stevens said that it is now City policy not to place curb extensions on streets with a slope steeper than eight percent, although an experi- mental project on Marquam Hill may in fact do so. Construction could begin as early as October, Stevens said. Stevens and the City are also proposing speed bumps for South- west Garden Home Road between Capitol Highway and 69 th Avenue. Roger Averbeck is Ash Creek Neigh- borhood Association chair and Southwest Neighborhoods, Inc. transportation committee chair. According to Averbeck, the average speed is 38 miles per hour while the posted speed is 30. According to Averbeck, there have been 91 recorded crashes on the street and one fatality, with a concentration on and near the Woods Creek area near Southwest 48 th Avenue. However, Averbeck said, the Ash Creek Association has never taken a formal stand on the issue, and at recent meetings there have been “passionate feelings expressed on both sides.” Critics say the bumps could slow emergency vehicle response times; Garden Home Road is not a desig- nated emergency response route but, because of southwest’s “lack of connectivity,” the street is used for this purpose, Averbeck said. Critics have also asked the City to consider other safety measures, Averbeck said. The controversy started last sum- mer when a City employee mis- takenly started marking the street for bump installation, creating the impression that a decision on the matter had already been made. Averbeck said that before this can happen, supporters would need to gain the written consent of all own- ers whose property either touches the affected street or is located on cul-de-sacs accessed by it. Even then, Averbeck said, “Funding may be available, but there’s no guarantee.” The Ash Creek Neighborhood Association is scheduled to discuss the issue at their meeting begin- ning at 7 p.m. November 14 at the Multnomah Center, 7688 SW Capi- tol Highway. Editor’s Note: The portion of the proposed Garden Home Road speed bumps between Capitol Highway and 45 th Avenue lies within the boundaries of the Multnomah neighborhood. At press time, Kay Durtschi, Multnomah Neighborhood Association transportation representative, said that while the project had been discussed at the last meeting, the neighborhood did not have enough information to take a position. The holidays are right around the corner. Don't forget to advertise in the November and December editions of The Post! Mention this offer and save 10% off your next ad. Call Don or Harry at 503-244-6933 for details. PoSt a to Z BuSINESS CaRD DIRECtoRy 503-244-6933 F a n n o C r e e k C l i n i c PRECISION HOME REPAIR & DRYWALL JON A. GOSCH Kathleen W. McDonald MA Licensed Massage Therapist, #1781 Reike Master 2400 SW Vermont Portland, OR 97219 Tel: 503-452-0915 Fax: 503-768-9232 Phone: 503-643-3517 Cell: 503-781-8792 E-mail: precision17@frontier.com Quality work at affordable rates! Mention this ad and receive 10% off your next job! 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