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.
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