SW Corridor: (flawed) planning continues

Despite running into roadblocks in Tigard and Tualatin where voters need to approve any high-capacity transit (HCT), Metro is proceeding with plans for SW Corridor HCT, from Downtown Portland to Tualatin, and eventually, Sherwood with Newberg still in the distant concept stage.  The cities are called "Partners" because Metro can't tell them what to do - the cities must agree.

The documents for the SW Corridor Plan are HERE.  Or go to oregonmetro.gov and search for SW Corridor Plan.

The Steering Committee is revisiting the planning for the Corridor in order to find a way to convince citizens to get on board.   The required Environmental Impact Statement is too expensive and involved to make plan that won't get past an election.

Today's SW Corridor Steering Committee Meeting was held at the Tigard Library.  Committee members include representatives of Metro, Tri-Met, and all affected cities: Portland, Tigard, Tualatin, Durham, Sherwood.  Lake Oswego withdrew from the Steering Committee when it was concluded that the HCT route did not impact the city.

It should be understood that transit planning is about land use development as much (or more than) as transit. Are people moving to Tigard in large numbers that will make light rail feasible?  Or is light rail or BRT a tool to encourage developers to build where Metro wants growth to occur?  Development plans will tell you that the latter is true.

It is telling to note that automobiles are relegated to the same level as bikes and pedestrian travel modes, and although buses serve the areas now, they were not considered part of a new plan.  Also, ironically, NONE of the meeting participants used public transit to get to the last two meetings, yet there is a bus stop outside the library.  The people who promote transit really prefer to drive.  Who are they kidding?   Transit is for the masses.

Today's meeting focused on South Portland and Hillsdale.  Here are a few of the issues discussed - more detailed analyses are in Corridor documents.  

• The route from Portland to Tigard would go through a tunnel under Marquam Hill, or use a surface route on Barbur Blvd.
• In Hillsdale there are other options for tunneling ("cut and cover") to get to PCC. 
• Tunneling would be for light rail (LRT) only.  
• LRT would be about twice the cost of BRT.
• One alternative was to leave things as they are and use "robust bus service."  No options were given for congestion pricing, etc., even though the forecast for growth in Hillsdale is low.  
• Given the low projected population growth in Hillsdale, why is LRT the only transit mode under consideration for the community?  

Here are some points to consider that you will not find on the Metro website:
From testimony provided by Steve Schopp

• There are hundreds of projects for the SW Corridor - most have nothing to do with the mega-HCT project.
• The HCT project could cost as much as the PMLR $200 million per mile, or at least $2.6 billion for 13 miles of light rail (without tunnels).
• Other costs not included in the DEIS are roadways, bike and pedestrian facilities, etc. and will be studied and funded through other collective federal, state, regional and local efforts.

Fatally Flawed HCT Corridor:

• High cost (BRT est.: $750M to $1.2B; LRT est.: $1.9B to $2.4B without tunneling)
• Marquam Hill tunnel would add $900M to $1.0B 
• No public input or approval without public vote
• No source of funding due to no voter-approved bonding source
• SW Corridor not named in list of highest regional priorities by the Oregonusines Summit Transportation memorandum
• Other priorities and needs in corridor will be deferred
• Travel lane loss (increase in congestion)
• LRT infrastructure will obstruct other functions while seldom being used itself
• Failure to achieve outcomes
• Cost to operate (PMLR will need $7 million/year to operate)
• Enhanced bus service funding is sidelined (even though it's need is proven)