Oregon

Portland Lowers Most of its Speed Limits to 20 mph
Portland has implemented one of the most sweeping commitments to traffic safety of any city in the United States: 20 mph speed limits over the vast majority of the city's streets.

The Slow Transition from Gas Taxes to Mileage Fees
Oregon was the first to conduct a pilot program in 2006, followed by California and Colorado last year. With financial backing from the U.S. DOT, at least four more states are exploring charging by the mile driven rather than the fuel burned.

Oregon Proposed 'Cap and Invest' Bill, Explained
Oregon legislators are hard at work on two new "cap and invest" bills that would establish a "market-based, carrot-and-stick approach to reducing greenhouse gas pollution."

Despite Bipartisan Opposition, Trump Administration Opens Offshore Oil and Gas Drilling
In a major blow to former President Obama's restrictions on offshore drilling in sensitive areas, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke announced that he would open the Outer Continental Shelf in four regions: Pacific, Arctic, Atlantic, and the Gulf Coast.

Cross-Border High-Speed Rail Studied for the Pacific Northwest
The state of Washington has taken a first, serious look at a high-speed rail project linking Vancouver in British Columbia to Seattle and Portland.

Portland Bike Lanes and the Danger of Half-Measures
Willamette's new bike lanes make for an important link in Portland's bike infrastructure, but building unprotected bike lanes on a high-speed street carries risk.

Portland: Homes for Everyone, or Not in My Neighborhood
Even progressive Portland wrestles with conservatism when it comes to housing in single-family neighborhoods

House Bill Would Streamline Construction of New Dams and Reservoirs
House Republicans from Washington are hoping to cut red tape for the development of surface storage facilities as the American West grapples with intensifying droughts.
Portland's Jade District Is a Planner's Nightmare (and Dream)
The Jade District on Portland's distant east side is a typical geography of wide streets and sprawl, but is also a relatively complete, self-contained community.

'Community Supported Kitchen' Idea Seeking Support in Portland
A crowdfunding campaign recently launched to support a new kind of commissary kitchen in Portland.

Oregon's New Motor Vehicle Sales Tax Litigated
The half-cent sales tax will fund new rebate programs for zero and near zero-emissions vehicles and multimodal transportation. Opponents claim the privilege tax, as it is called, violates the state constitution because revenues aren't used for roads.

Study: Economic Displacement Is Bad for Transit Ridership
A TriMet transit agency analysis has identified a culprit in the decline of transit ridership in Portland: gentrification and displacement.

White House Denies Funding to Replace Tribal Villages
The federal government appears to be reneging on yet another promise to Native American tribes.

The Business Case for Bike Lanes
Local businesses in Beaverton, Oregon hope new walking and biking infrastructure will attract young talent.

Small Oregon Town Welcomes Robotic Deliveries
The town of Philomath, Oregon has just approved the testing of robotic deliveries on public rights-of-way.

Analysis Debunks Equity Criticism of Congestion Pricing
Oregon's recently approved gas tax legislation also calls for tolling of I-205 and I-5 in the Portland metro area, with the application of value or congestion pricing so peak period tolls would be higher, which have raised equity concerns.

Car2Go Says Goodbye Smart Car, Hello Mercedes
Car2Go is giving an upgrade to its car sharing service in Portland, OR by phasing out the tiny Smarts in favor of larger Mercedes-Benz luxury vehicles.

Portland to Consider New Residential Infill Regulations
The city of Portland's new residential infill ordinance would reduce the number of 1:1 demolitions—which often convert older, affordable homes into expensive McMansions.
ADUs Are Having a Moment
Granny flats, mother-in-law units, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), or secondary units—whatever you call them, more and more cities, regions, and states are making it easier to deliver subtle density in the backyard.

Planning Director Susan Anderson Separates Fact from Fiction in Portland(ia)
Planetizen's "Planners Across America" series continues in the city that put many contemporary best planning practices on the map: Portland, Oregon.
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