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About The Southwest Portland Post. (Portland, Oregon) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (May 1, 2016)
May 2016 FEATURES The Southwest Portland Post • 7 Highway 5 in Santiago is a toll road; former streets replaced by pedestrian plazas The tolls are meant to not only build and maintain roads, but it is also a way to decrease vehicular traffic in order to get a grip on the By Erik Vidstrand poor air quality. Some 5 million The Southwest Portland Post people inhabit this former Spanish colonial city. Driving in the hot smoggy weather Today’s cost, as expressed on an in downtown Santiago, Chile, overhead digital sign, is 119 pesos suddenly a beep-beep goes off in (about 17 cents) per kilometer. the SUV. It happens again kilometers The freeway is a marvel of later. engineering being underground for The beeping, it turns out, records many kilometers with exits every the freeway kilometers driven on so often. The main reason was that Highway 5 and charged to the the growing city needed a more driver’s “E-Z Pass” account. direct way through the city without This is a section of the Pan- disrupting the many businesses and American Highway which runs from homes above ground. the tip of South America to Prudhoe The driver, Alejandro, normally Bay in Alaska. takes the Metro, micro buses, or collectivos (shared taxis) in order to decrease traffic and personal cost. “Besides,” Alejandro said, “if I want to have a few drinks at a friend’s house or bar, I can take public transportation without the risk of being pulled over for driving under the influence.” There is zero tolerance for drinking and driving here. Oregon may have its limit of .08 percent but in Chile it’s 0.0 percent. Fines are stiff. Additionally, since J a n u a r y, a l l d r i v e r s must have a safety vest in the vehicle at all times. These neon orange or green nylon Pedestrian plazas are replacing traditional streets in vests were the topic downtown Santiago. (Post photo by Erik Vidstrand) of many a news story. POSTCARD FROM CHILE Public workout equipment near the beach in Santiago. (Post photo by Erik Vidstrand) Whether a break down or fender bender, the driver is required by law to wear the vest when they exit the vehicle. And although there are a lot of bikes for rent, not many cyclists are seen commuting just because it’s just too dangerous. They can be seen all lined up in parks and painted bright orange so motorists can make them out. Sunday Parkways is a weekly event where a long stretch of one of the busiest thoroughfares is closed to traffic. That is the day bicycling, jogging, and strolling is common. Chile still recognizes Sunday as a day of rest and most businesses are closed. In its commitment to health, the government provides exercise equipment throughout a variety of outdoor locations. These consist of pull-up bars, stretching machines or a place to do sit-ups. The equipment is made of solid steel painted with thick lacquer to protect it from the elements. Tied into many of these parks and main boulevards, one can find walkways where motor traffic once ruled. The asphalt is replaced by brick and tile. Traffic signs have made way for trees. Retail kiosks, benches, fountains, and sidewalk cafés have been added. As a result, businesses and the quality of life thrive. It’s a win-win for all. Somehow Chile doesn’t deserve the title of a third-world country. Post reporter Erik Vidstrand spent nearly 40 days in Chile with his family this past winter. Traveling somewhere unusual or exotic? Send us a Postcard! Contact Don Snedecor at 503-244-6933 or news@multnomahpost.com for details. POST A-Z BUSINESS CARD DIRECTORY 503-244-6933 Family & Cosmetic Dentistry 503-246-2564 www.mvdentalcare.com 7717SW34thAvenue•Portland,OR97219 (MultnomahVillage•SWCapitolHighway&34thAve.) 9715 SW Barbur Blvd. Portland, OR 97219-6097 Phone: (503) 246-3373 Fax: (503) 246-2767 Rx Hotline: (503) 246-0861 Open 7 days a week www.pacif icveterinaryhospital.com Email: clientcare@pacvh.com PRECISION HOME REPAIR & DRYWALL JON A. GOSCH Phone: 503-643-3517 E-mail: precision17@frontier.com Quality work at affordable rates! Mention this ad and receive 10% off your next job! Licensed•Bonded•Insured•CCB#77073 Your Ad Here Just $69 per month for a year! Call Don at 503-244-6933 for more information or to place your ad. Deadline for June is May 20. The IDEA Today … The SIGN Tomorrow! •SIGNS •BANNERS •GRAPHICS •MAGNETICS •LETTERING •LOGOS&MORE 503.244.0980 9220 SW Barbur Blvd. #111 - Portland - OR - 97219