Added safety improvements along SW Moody Avenue have been completed between SW Sheridan Street and the Ross Island Bridge area, allowing the west sidewalk and cycletrack to re-open Aug. 7. TriMet and the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) completed three weeks of work to improve the flow of pedestrians and bicyclists along SW Moody Avenue.
With the recent addition of MAX Orange Line trains, and more buses and streetcars traveling in South Waterfront, TriMet and PBOT closely monitored the heavy flow of pedestrians and bicyclists along SW Moody. The agencies saw unsafe behavior including crossing against signals and not looking for trains and buses coming from opposite directions. Based on those observations, adjustments were made to further encourage people to cross the tracks safely.
“When we begin operating along a new alignment we see how people behave around our vehicles and tracks, and then make adjustments to improve safety,” said TriMet Safety and Security Executive Director Harry Saporta. “Those improvements will help people be more aware and alert of trains and buses along the new Orange Line.”
The improvements also allow bicyclists and pedestrians to better share the space and improve access to the Collaborative Life Sciences Building and Tilikum Crossing,Bridge of the People, when it opens in September.
“At PBOT, we want to encourage Portlanders to ride their bikes and walk their neighborhoods. That’s why we’re so happy with the improvements on Moody, one of our city’s first cycletracks,” Transportation Director Leah Treat said. “Working with TriMet, our investment will make it safer and easier for everyone to enjoy the South Waterfront, take advantage of the new Orange Line and use Portland’s newest bridge, the beautiful Tilikum Crossing.”
Safety improvements
On the west side of SW Moody the configuration of the cycletrack and sidewalk changed and is now consistent along the entire stretch between Sheridan Street and the Ross Island Bridge area:
- Pedestrians shift to the west side of the pathway away from the traffic lanes.
- Bicyclists traveling north and south share the section of pathway closest to the curb.
- Additional green paint and striping was added to delineate how each mode shares the space.
- Railings were added around the southbound Portland Streetcar stop at SW Moody & Meade.
- Some crossing signals were adjusted for improved safety.
About the MAX Orange Line/Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Transit Project
The 7.3-mile MAX Orange Line opens on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015. It will improve transit along the corridor that extends from the terminus of the MAX Green and Yellow lines at Portland State University in Downtown Portland to South Waterfront, SE Portland, Milwaukie and North Clackamas County. About the Orange Line:
- The Orange Line includes Tilikum Crossing, Bridge of the People, the first of its kind multi-modal bridge in the U.S. carrying MAX light rail and Portland Streetcar trains, buses, bicyclists, pedestrians, but no private vehicles.
- 10 new MAX stations for a total of 97 stations systemwide.
- Expands the MAX system to 60 miles.
- 10 bus lines will be adjusted to make connections to Orange Line stations and more community connections.
- 446 new bike parking spaces, including 2 secure Bike & Ride facilities, at SE Tacoma St/Johnson Creek and SE Park Ave stations.
- 2 Park & Rides: 318 parking spaces at SE Tacoma St/Johnson Creek Station and 401 parking spaces at SE Park Ave Park & Ride Garage and 9 EV spaces with chargers.
