The Portland Parks and Recreation say the contractors had a delay in the production of the metal bollards and should be getting it installed, along with striping over the next couple of weeks.

With the shoulder rock in place and making the trail safer for pedestrian and bicyclist, contractors will not be completely barricading the trail while waiting for the bollard installation. Contractors will close the trail and ask users to leave when the bollard installation and striping work resumes.

The project began on May 24, but has been delayed twice before because of spring’s wetter than usual weather.

More Information: http://www.portlandonline.com/parks/index.cfm?c=52437&

A detour route has been established via S.E. Sherret St., S.E. 33rd Ave., S.E. Johnson Creek Blvd., and S.E. 45th Ave.

Bicyclists are advised to use caution at the S.E. 28th Ave. trailhead because the connector between the trail and S.E. 28th Ave. & S.E. Sherret St. is loose gravel.

Download Detour Map (PDF)

Project Information Page at Portland Parks & Recreation

Milwaukie city staff Wendy Hemmen and Kenny Asher presented a report before the Milwaukie City Council on April 20, recommending a traffic signal light at the intersection of SE Johnson Creek Blvd. at SE 42nd Ave for traffic mitigation.

Milwaukie Mayor Jeremy Ferguson read a revised resolution that would have allowed a signal but function as a “flashing red light” mode, making the intersection a three-way stop and then turn into full traffic signal when needed.

Public comments from the audience were mostly in opposition of the signal lights and the flashing red light idea.

Ardenwald Chairman Matt Rinker, Secretary Bryan Dorr, and Transportation Chairman Michole Jensen addressed the City Council the Neighborhood’s position and concerns from the Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail project reports.

Two Ardenwald residents at the meeting spoke in favor for the signal lights.

Milwaukie City Council discussed the matter at length before making motion to vote.

The council voted 4-1 to reject the resolution affirming the light rail project staff’s recommendations to signalize the S.E. JCB and S.E. 42nd Ave.

Councilor Greg Chaimov voted against the rejection of the recommendation.

S.E. 32nd Ave. and S.E. JCB intersection’s signal is in the Portland city limits and was not part of Milwaukie’s resolution. Oregon Department of Transportation mandated mitigation at the 32nd Ave. intersection due to traffic backup onto Hwy. 99E.

Related Documents:

• Mayor Ferguson’s Response to JCB Traffic Letter From Jan. 12, 2010
• Letter from Neighborhood regarding position and suggestions for SE Johnson Creek Blvd. traffic. (Jan. 12, 2010)

Metro Councilor and Ardenwald resident Carlotta Collette proposed the idea in January, which was published on Ardenwald.org (read proposal here).

Collette discussed more on the topic at Tuesday’s Neighborhood Association meeting with discussions and feedback from NDA board members and residents.

The tolls are collected through a transponder device.  Cars without transponders would have license plates photographed and a bill sent monthly for the toll.

Tolls would be applicable during traffic peak hours during the day.

The costs for the equipment, installation and operations is unknown.

The gantry would be set up in Ardenwald neighborhood on the S.E. 32nd Ave. bridge just north of Johnson Creek Blvd. before turning into Tacoma Street.

Tolling would be used to reduce traffic congestion on a residential street. Johnson Creek Blvd. connects I-205 with 99E and the Sellwood Bridge.

Johnson Creek Blvd. was one of the five locations in the region selected as an option for the tolling project, but approval has not been finalized.

February 10, 2010

Dear Members of the Ardenwald NDA,

Thank you very much for your January 7 letter regarding the future of Johnson Creek Boulevard. The Milwaukie City Council has been following the various discussions that are underway about possible changes to the street due to the Portland-to-Milwaukie light rail project. Johnson Creek Boulevard is an important route, as it serves at least three Milwaukie neighborhoods and neighboring jurisdictions and businesses.

The City of Milwaukie is carefully weighing the trade-offs that are necessitated by this difficult situation. We have clearly heard from your NDA that traffic signals, speeding, blocked driveways and increased traffic volumes are unacceptable and incompatible with neighborhood livability.

From those working on the light rail project, we understand that Johnson Creek Boulevard’s future will resemble a parking lot along part of its length during certain hours, and that if nothing is done to ameliorate this condition, cut-through traffic on 32nd , Roswell, Filbert, Olsen and Logus will worsen. We also understand that the light rail project will be required to install a traffic light at 32nd to ensure that cars do not back up on to 99E during the late afternoon.

The City is engaged with the other governments that have jurisdiction over the street. As we participate in these discussions, we will keep your recommendations close at hand. Although trade-offs are inevitable and all the Ardenwald recommendations may not be workable, we will make every effort to balance the competing demands that continue to characterize Johnson Creek Boulevard.

Perhaps most importantly, we agree with you that the City should not allow increased traffic volumes or speeding at the expense of neighborhood livability and safety. The City has its highest degree of control at the intersection of 42nd and JCB. The best solution for this intersection will be informed by the choices that are being made by the other jurisdictions on the corridor, as well as the input of neighborhoods like Ardenwald.

Thank you again for your letter and for sharing your ideas on possible improvements to Johnson Creek Boulevard.

Respectfully,

Jeremy Ferguson

Mayor