Reposted by Chris Smith
PBOT staple appreciation post
January 20, 2026 at 5:56 AM
PBOT staple appreciation post
Nice review of IBR financial situation
I took a longer look at the $13.6 billion draft cost doc to try to find out:
1) How did it go up by $7.6 billion?
2) Which pieces went up the most?
3) If construction still starts this year with the bridge and ramps front-loaded, as appears to be the plan, is $5.5 billion enough to get them done?
1) How did it go up by $7.6 billion?
2) Which pieces went up the most?
3) If construction still starts this year with the bridge and ramps front-loaded, as appears to be the plan, is $5.5 billion enough to get them done?
The Interstate Bridge Replacement cost has more than doubled. Here's what's driving the increase
The $13.6 billion estimate is for the entire project, which includes not just the bridge itself but also a light rail extension and upgrades along five miles of I-5.
www.kgw.com
January 20, 2026 at 2:48 AM
Nice review of IBR financial situation
Reposted by Chris Smith
Reposted by Chris Smith
Those damn highway design manuals strike again!!
Seems like a sad irony that a concern about car drivers getting backed up near a freeway could tank the dream of dedicated bus lanes
bikeportland.org/2026/01/15/t...
bikeportland.org/2026/01/15/t...
TriMet lays out new hurdles for 82nd Avenue bus lanes
Is TriMet ready to jump over these hurdles, or will they use them as a pretext to give up on full bus lanes?
bikeportland.org
January 15, 2026 at 9:57 PM
Those damn highway design manuals strike again!!
Reposted by Chris Smith
I'm honored to have been chosen last night by my colleagues to serve as Chair of Portland's Planning Commission for another year. We also chose our Youth Commissioner as one of our two Vice Chairs, which I believe is a first for our body.
January 14, 2026 at 5:43 PM
I'm honored to have been chosen last night by my colleagues to serve as Chair of Portland's Planning Commission for another year. We also chose our Youth Commissioner as one of our two Vice Chairs, which I believe is a first for our body.
Reposted by Chris Smith
We are sorry to hear what is going down in NJ. In Oregon, one bright light on the transpo front. Micromobility Network and @thestreettrust.org testified in support of our pro e-bike, anti E-Moto legislation.
We got the session off to a good start, and the stars should be aligned for passage.
We got the session off to a good start, and the stars should be aligned for passage.
The New Jersey bill (now on the Governor's desk) is a bad bill, especially with the scant data on actual harms caused by e-bikes or e-motos
In most states, requiring a driver's license likely just reduces youth use of e-bikes (which is a shame) as most adults have licenses
In most states, requiring a driver's license likely just reduces youth use of e-bikes (which is a shame) as most adults have licenses
January 14, 2026 at 2:52 PM
We are sorry to hear what is going down in NJ. In Oregon, one bright light on the transpo front. Micromobility Network and @thestreettrust.org testified in support of our pro e-bike, anti E-Moto legislation.
We got the session off to a good start, and the stars should be aligned for passage.
We got the session off to a good start, and the stars should be aligned for passage.
Reposted by Chris Smith
Worse, high-power e-mopeds/e-motos aren’t actually e-bikes, but they’re fueling a general backlash against battery-powered two-wheelers.
Also a problem: Janky imports prone to catching on fire.
Also a problem: Janky imports prone to catching on fire.
PART I: The E-Bike 'Problem' is an E-Moto Problem — Streetsblog USA
PeopleForBikes separates fact from fiction to protect the future of e-bikes in America in this new series. This is Part I.
usa.streetsblog.org
January 14, 2026 at 2:01 PM
Worse, high-power e-mopeds/e-motos aren’t actually e-bikes, but they’re fueling a general backlash against battery-powered two-wheelers.
Also a problem: Janky imports prone to catching on fire.
Also a problem: Janky imports prone to catching on fire.
Reposted by Chris Smith
if you want some background about why "more BAT lanes will increase daily traffic diversion by 2%" is not a statement you should take that seriously, @nerd4cities.bsky.social has you covered
since so much of the opposition to BAT lanes on 82nd hinges on the outputs of PBOT’s traffic model I think it would be good for folks to familiarize themselves with critiques of traditional traffic modeling. this video is a good intro: youtu.be/NgJ998KHBpc?...
I’m Not Saying Traffic Engineering Is Junk Science But
YouTube video by Ray Delahanty | CityNerd
youtu.be
January 14, 2026 at 12:09 AM
if you want some background about why "more BAT lanes will increase daily traffic diversion by 2%" is not a statement you should take that seriously, @nerd4cities.bsky.social has you covered
Reposted by Chris Smith
This is insanity. Our bedrock American institutions are being torn apart. This will permanently harm all Conservative and Liberal Americans.
Our Congress has the power and duty to stop this. Now. Tonight.
Our Congress has the power and duty to stop this. Now. Tonight.
Video message from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KckG...
www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/s...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KckG...
www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/s...
Statement by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell
YouTube video by Federal Reserve
www.youtube.com
January 12, 2026 at 12:54 AM
This is insanity. Our bedrock American institutions are being torn apart. This will permanently harm all Conservative and Liberal Americans.
Our Congress has the power and duty to stop this. Now. Tonight.
Our Congress has the power and duty to stop this. Now. Tonight.
Reposted by Chris Smith
Reposted by Chris Smith
Planners for the Interstate Bridge Replacement openly lied to lawmakers last month when they said they couldn't state how much the costs for the new bridge would be. Good records work.
Interstate Bridge Staff Hid Information About Ballooning Cost of Giant Highway Project
The estimated price tag more than doubled from $6 billion to $13.6 billion, but staff told a bistate panel Dec. 15 it didn’t have new numbers.
www.wweek.com
January 8, 2026 at 4:06 PM
Planners for the Interstate Bridge Replacement openly lied to lawmakers last month when they said they couldn't state how much the costs for the new bridge would be. Good records work.
Reposted by Chris Smith
The highway building industrial complex is so broken.
The good news? now we actually can't afford to keep shoveling this kind of $$$ into a bottomless road wideing pit.
The good news? now we actually can't afford to keep shoveling this kind of $$$ into a bottomless road wideing pit.
Interstate Bridge Staff Hid Information About Ballooning Cost of Giant Highway Project
The estimated price tag more than doubled from $6 billion to $13.6 billion, but staff told a bistate panel Dec. 15 it didn’t have new numbers.
www.wweek.com
January 8, 2026 at 12:40 PM
The highway building industrial complex is so broken.
The good news? now we actually can't afford to keep shoveling this kind of $$$ into a bottomless road wideing pit.
The good news? now we actually can't afford to keep shoveling this kind of $$$ into a bottomless road wideing pit.
Reposted by Chris Smith
I think we need to go back to the drawing board and consider the alternative replacement schemes that don't involve a dozen miles of new freeways and several rebuilt interchanges.
Willamette Week reports the price estimate for the Interstate Bridge Replacement has more than doubled to $13.6 billion. www.wweek.com/news/state/2...
Interstate Bridge Staff Hid Information About Ballooning Cost of Giant Highway Project
The estimated price tag more than doubled from $6 billion to $13.6 billion, but staff told a bistate panel Dec. 15 it didn’t have new numbers.
www.wweek.com
January 8, 2026 at 3:48 AM
I think we need to go back to the drawing board and consider the alternative replacement schemes that don't involve a dozen miles of new freeways and several rebuilt interchanges.
Reposted by Chris Smith
I will forever contend that a lot of our worst freeway traffic in Portland is because we have too many on and offramps too close to each other, and the ramps have awful 60s-80s geometry with no merging space.
January 8, 2026 at 4:32 AM
I will forever contend that a lot of our worst freeway traffic in Portland is because we have too many on and offramps too close to each other, and the ramps have awful 60s-80s geometry with no merging space.
Reposted by Chris Smith
NEWS ALERT
The Interstate Bridge Replacement team has known the cost of the project has doubled since August, but didn't tell legislators at September/December committee meetings
The IBR now is projected to cost more than the entire pricetag of HB 2025, last year's statewide transportation package
The Interstate Bridge Replacement team has known the cost of the project has doubled since August, but didn't tell legislators at September/December committee meetings
The IBR now is projected to cost more than the entire pricetag of HB 2025, last year's statewide transportation package
The estimated price tag more than doubled from $6 billion to $13.6 billion, but staff told a bistate panel Dec. 15 it didn’t have new numbers.
Interstate Bridge Staff Hid Information About Ballooning Cost of Giant Highway Project
Nigel Jaquiss
www.wweek.com
January 8, 2026 at 1:31 AM
NEWS ALERT
The Interstate Bridge Replacement team has known the cost of the project has doubled since August, but didn't tell legislators at September/December committee meetings
The IBR now is projected to cost more than the entire pricetag of HB 2025, last year's statewide transportation package
The Interstate Bridge Replacement team has known the cost of the project has doubled since August, but didn't tell legislators at September/December committee meetings
The IBR now is projected to cost more than the entire pricetag of HB 2025, last year's statewide transportation package
Reposted by Chris Smith
Notable that Oregon Transportation Commissioner Phil Chang is suggesting the legislators need to decide whether or not they want to keep pushing forward on the portland area megaprojects instead of backfilling ODOT maintenance needs in a hometown paper op-ed bendbulletin.com/2026/01/07/g... #orpol
January 7, 2026 at 9:20 PM
Notable that Oregon Transportation Commissioner Phil Chang is suggesting the legislators need to decide whether or not they want to keep pushing forward on the portland area megaprojects instead of backfilling ODOT maintenance needs in a hometown paper op-ed bendbulletin.com/2026/01/07/g... #orpol
Reposted by Chris Smith
"The “redirect”: Passing a bill to free up money within ODOT’s budget that is currently dedicated to specific projects. That money could instead go toward basic road maintenance."
www.opb.org/article/2026...
www.opb.org/article/2026...
Gov. Tina Kotek now wants to scrap her newly passed transportation bill
The development comes after a Republican-led campaign delayed key tax increases in the bill.
www.opb.org
January 7, 2026 at 8:04 PM
"The “redirect”: Passing a bill to free up money within ODOT’s budget that is currently dedicated to specific projects. That money could instead go toward basic road maintenance."
www.opb.org/article/2026...
www.opb.org/article/2026...
Reposted by Chris Smith
The WES was built for ~$166M in 2009. That's ~$250M in 2025.
The Interstate Rose Quarter project is projected to cost $2 billion, or 8 times what the WES cost. Meanwhile, a WES extension to Salem was killed in committee last year.
The problem isn't the money. It's how we choose to spend it.
The Interstate Rose Quarter project is projected to cost $2 billion, or 8 times what the WES cost. Meanwhile, a WES extension to Salem was killed in committee last year.
The problem isn't the money. It's how we choose to spend it.
Billions of dollars to ODOT for continued endless polluting freeway expansions, while TriMet and other transit agencies across the state prepare for massive service cuts.
A profound public policy failure of Oregon government. #orpol #orleg
A profound public policy failure of Oregon government. #orpol #orleg
Go to trimet.org/servicecuts to learn more about the service cuts, share your feedback this month and help us shape the future of our transit service. The survey closes Jan. 31.
January 6, 2026 at 9:00 PM
The WES was built for ~$166M in 2009. That's ~$250M in 2025.
The Interstate Rose Quarter project is projected to cost $2 billion, or 8 times what the WES cost. Meanwhile, a WES extension to Salem was killed in committee last year.
The problem isn't the money. It's how we choose to spend it.
The Interstate Rose Quarter project is projected to cost $2 billion, or 8 times what the WES cost. Meanwhile, a WES extension to Salem was killed in committee last year.
The problem isn't the money. It's how we choose to spend it.
Reposted by Chris Smith
The legislature did a grave disservice when we failed to secure long term funding for transit service. I'm heartbroken to read the scale of cuts TriMet is now proposing. I hope you'll hold me accountable to prioritizing working with my colleagues to find a solution. #orpol
https://loom.ly/pmos-0k
https://loom.ly/pmos-0k
TriMet Announces Steep Service Cuts to Close Budget Gap
The upshot? Twenty bus routes altered, another 15 eliminated, and a light-rail line that will stop at its halfway point, requiring a transfer to get from Clackamas Town Center to downtown Portland.
www.wweek.com
January 6, 2026 at 7:19 PM
The legislature did a grave disservice when we failed to secure long term funding for transit service. I'm heartbroken to read the scale of cuts TriMet is now proposing. I hope you'll hold me accountable to prioritizing working with my colleagues to find a solution. #orpol
https://loom.ly/pmos-0k
https://loom.ly/pmos-0k
Reposted by Chris Smith
“It’s pretty devastating. It’s not like there’s not some money out there. We’re just spending it on cars.”
- NMF co-founder @chrissmith.us in @wweek.com, on @trimet.org’s cuts, and the failure of Oregon th prioritize existing bus service over freeway expansion
www.wweek.com/news/2026/01...
- NMF co-founder @chrissmith.us in @wweek.com, on @trimet.org’s cuts, and the failure of Oregon th prioritize existing bus service over freeway expansion
www.wweek.com/news/2026/01...
January 6, 2026 at 4:17 AM
“It’s pretty devastating. It’s not like there’s not some money out there. We’re just spending it on cars.”
- NMF co-founder @chrissmith.us in @wweek.com, on @trimet.org’s cuts, and the failure of Oregon th prioritize existing bus service over freeway expansion
www.wweek.com/news/2026/01...
- NMF co-founder @chrissmith.us in @wweek.com, on @trimet.org’s cuts, and the failure of Oregon th prioritize existing bus service over freeway expansion
www.wweek.com/news/2026/01...
Reposted by Chris Smith
Billions of dollars to ODOT for continued endless polluting freeway expansions, while TriMet and other transit agencies across the state prepare for massive service cuts.
A profound public policy failure of Oregon government. #orpol #orleg
A profound public policy failure of Oregon government. #orpol #orleg
Go to trimet.org/servicecuts to learn more about the service cuts, share your feedback this month and help us shape the future of our transit service. The survey closes Jan. 31.
Planned Bus and MAX Service Cuts
Due to a growing budget gap, we must cut some TriMet service starting in November 2025.
trimet.org
January 5, 2026 at 8:03 PM
Reposted by Chris Smith
Oh hi, we're on Bluesky now 👋👋👋
“Seeing the streetcar go by represents Portland values. For the museum to be visually part of that is really special.”
www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/179...
www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/179...
An Intervention at Oregon’s Portland Art Museum Spans Two Landmarks and Mends Old Wounds
The Rothko Pavilion—designed by Vinci Hamp Architects with Hennebery Eddy Architects—positions the museum as a crossroads between art and the urban context.
www.architecturalrecord.com
January 5, 2026 at 6:29 PM
Oh hi, we're on Bluesky now 👋👋👋
Reposted by Chris Smith
HNY! Top billing from @oregonian.com for pugs on @thestreettrust.org New Years Day Ride 😂
Had the weather been better, I’d have spent more time playing w/ the pugs, too. However, it allowed me the opportunity to chat more w/ @councilortkl.bsky.social—silver lining!
www.oregonlive.com/portland/202...
Had the weather been better, I’d have spent more time playing w/ the pugs, too. However, it allowed me the opportunity to chat more w/ @councilortkl.bsky.social—silver lining!
www.oregonlive.com/portland/202...
January 2, 2026 at 4:42 PM
HNY! Top billing from @oregonian.com for pugs on @thestreettrust.org New Years Day Ride 😂
Had the weather been better, I’d have spent more time playing w/ the pugs, too. However, it allowed me the opportunity to chat more w/ @councilortkl.bsky.social—silver lining!
www.oregonlive.com/portland/202...
Had the weather been better, I’d have spent more time playing w/ the pugs, too. However, it allowed me the opportunity to chat more w/ @councilortkl.bsky.social—silver lining!
www.oregonlive.com/portland/202...
Reposted by Chris Smith
“E-bikes and scooters displace 4x as much demand for oil as all of the EVs in the world”
January 2, 2026 at 1:57 PM
“E-bikes and scooters displace 4x as much demand for oil as all of the EVs in the world”
Join us for the first #farmersmarketride of 2026 tomorrow: www.shift2bikes.org/calendar/eve...
I promise it won't rain 🤞
I promise it won't rain 🤞
Calendar
Rides calendar
www.shift2bikes.org
January 2, 2026 at 2:17 PM
Join us for the first #farmersmarketride of 2026 tomorrow: www.shift2bikes.org/calendar/eve...
I promise it won't rain 🤞
I promise it won't rain 🤞