For June 4, 2024 Joint Transportation Committee public hearing in Portland.
Give public comment! See below.
We must have money from the state legislature to secure our emergency routes! On June 4, the legislature’s Joint Transportation Committee is holding a hearing in Portland at PCC Cascade. They are planning a BIG transportation package for the next session, which starts in January. This is a great opportunity to make them aware of our situation! Please attend!! Or, at least submit a comment. Info below.
2023-2024 Interim Joint Committee On Transportation
Meeting Details 06/04/2024 12:00 PM, Offsite
https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2023I1/Committees/JCT/2024-06-04-12-00/Agenda
Portland Community College Cascade Campus Moriarty Auditorium 705 N Killingsworth Street Portland
Field Trip
(12:00 – 2:00 PM) ODOT-Hosted Tour of Metro Area Transportation Facilities*
· (2:30 – 4:30 PM) Roundtable Discussion with Members of Region 1 Area Commission on Transportation, Jurisdictional Leaders, Business Representatives, and Topic Area Experts*
*Note: Persons wishing to attend either the roundtable or tour should contact committee staff in advance. Patrick Brennan patrick.h.brennan@oregonlegislature.gov or
Beverly Schoonover beverly.schoonover@oregonlegislature.gov
· Public Hearing
(5:10 – 7:00 PM) Public Comment
Register to give public comment:
– Register in person at the location noted at the top of the agenda. Registration will open 30 minutes ahead of meeting start time.
Register to give remote public comment:
–Time permitting, the Chairs will allow for remote public comment, please register at
https://survey.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0VD3RG48wn2Ueb4.
Submit written public comment:
–Email: JCT.exhibits@oregonlegislature.gov.
–Mail: Joint Committee on Transportation
900 Court Street NE, Room 453, Salem, OR, 97301
-Written comment may be submitted up to 48 hours after the meeting start time.
For information on Language Access Services/Para más información sobre los Servicios de Acceso Lingüístico:
https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/lpro/Pages/language-access.aspx
To access links to a livestream or recordings of legislative meetings:
https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/citizen_engagement/Pages/Legislative-Video.aspx
Key points:
When the Cascadia Subduction Zone Earthquake hits, 30,000 people and businesses on the north peninsula of Portland will be radically impacted as our officially designated “emergency routes” routes in/out of Portland proper – indeed, our routes in/out of anywhere will disappear, unless we rebuild two railroad bridges and secure a tunnel section. Both of these routes are also key freight corridors for Portland and the region.
We need help from the 2025 Oregon State Legislature. Specifically:
1. A feasibility study of the of the Columbia Blvd bridges over the cut has been conducted and PBOT is ready to apply for a grant as soon as they have the “match” funds. The PBOT budget cannot handle the amount needed, approximately 20% of the estimated $57 million required for the rebuild. We need the match money!
2. The other emergency route is Lombard and it needs, first, persuasion by elected officials for the heads of PBOT, ODOT and representatives from BNSF to collaborate on solutions. We assume this collaboration will take staff time and, thus, financing. Additionally, a feasibility study needs to be undertaken and that requires funding.
You can subscribe to receive updates from the Joint Committee on Transportation here: https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2023I1/Committees/JCT/Overview
To stay up-to-date:
St Johns / North Peninsula Emergency Route facebook.com/groups/nopoemergencyroute And/or Email List: NoPoEmergencyRoute@gmail.com Put Emergency Route in Subject: and name/contact info in message
Donna L Cohen, MLIS, MEd
Portland, Oregon
503-333-2646
Civics for Adults – and Others – Workshops: To Enhance Civic Knowledge and Inspire Political Engagement
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“My philosophy is very simple. When you see something that is not fair, not right, not just – stand up, say something, speak up!” Rep. John Lewis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6lzPpqc2WY
East Columbia Neighborhood Association 