Portland traffic (living, airport, light rail)

[cn1221]

Take a look at the Sunday traffic around Portland today. Traffic is getting heavier even on the weekend.

[aalverson]

we could definitely use some more thorough public transportation.

[Squidlo]

I was noticing this before I moved last year. You should see the back ups on Saturdays on I-5 North at Jantzen Beach. I really did master the art of off peak driving in Portland, but I was living like a troll. I drove professionally for a few years. Start at 4 or 5 am be done with all my crosstown trips by 1 pm. If you have public transportation available that suits your needs great. If you don't, well its not fun. Many parts of Portland are under served either with road capacity or public transportation or both. Is the logic; If we make it terrible to drive, everyone will take the bus? Love Portland, don't miss the policy or traffic.


Squidlo

[cdelena]

It does seem that the Portland area has concentrated on alternative transportation systems ignoring the freeway system which is dated and overloaded. I have not seen such high non-rush hour congestion in any of the many cities I drive in regularly.

IMO there is much too much emphasis being put on the I5 bridge over the Columbia when the real issues are the limited traffic lanes and bottlenecks through the city itself.

[Squidlo]

Originally Posted by cdelena

IMO there is much too much emphasis being put on the I5 bridge over the Columbia when the real issues are the limited traffic lanes and bottlenecks through the city itself.

I would agree with the "bottlenecks" all over the city. I just lived near the one I mentioned. Many many other places in the city where it can back up. Highway 26 and I-5 from Johns Landing to Tualatan can be a nightmare almost any daylight hour regardless of what day of the week it is. Weekend traffic jams are a real sign of needed changes. Portland has put off improving the freeway system way too long. You will suffer even more, if and when they make any needed changes. We all cant ride bikes to work. I actually rode to work for over a year. It's really not for everyone.


Squidlo

[cn1221]

I-84 into Portland is also a problem at times with people coming from Vancouver. The light rail is a good idea but Portland should still work on the roads.

[lovethegreen]

It's a tough problem because fixing this problem means more freeways. In an idea world everyone could be shifted to mass transit but it's not ideal. Still it would be sad to see this area go the way of California where in many cities you can hardly ever get more than a mile away from some freeway - that means peace and quiet is a thing of the past.

[karnovaran]

Is there really a traffic problem as compared to other cities? Or just as compared to what you had in Portland 10 years ago? Because when I visited Portland last year we had to take 84 and 205 to the airport at 5pm on a Monday and couldn't believe that was really your "rush" hour. It was nothing compared to the DC area.

[Lillietta]

I was there last summer; I come from the Twin Cities in Minnesota. Same population for both places. Portland is far worse because of bridge gridlock. Seattle must have the same problem. Bridges create traffic problems. But, compared to DC, maybe not. Friday nights in Portland, watch out!

[HiggsBoson]

Its interesting to see so many people complain about the traffic in Portland, but yet Portlanders continue to vote in politicians that seem outright hostile to the idea of expanding roads and freeways.