The city is currently studying a series of bikeway improvement projects. These are primarily paint and signage projects, meant to make the roadways more safe and comfortable. These seemingly simple efforts have run headlong into opposition of many types. In the Rose Quarter and Lloyd District, three of these bikeway projects directly affect the Gulch Trail. These three are:

• Williams to Rose Quarter Connection
• Holladay Street from the Rose Quarter to 13th
• 12th Avenue Overpass at I-84

These three projects will all help connect riders to the Gulch Trail. But the Holladay and 12th Avenue are even more critical to the trail. Holladay may prove to be a great local circulator for bicycles, connecting Lloyd District workers and shoppers to the trails via connections at 13th and at the Rose Quarter.

The 12th Avenue overpass will mirror similar challenges we will have at each overpass along the trail from the Lloyd District up to Gateway. If overpasses are not properly prepared for use by those accessing the trail, its benefits as a regional connector will be limited.

Aside from the direct importance of these projects to the trail, the process the city is taking with these projects should be a warning as the trail planning begins. The city's desire to cultivate stakeholder support is important. But sometimes the stakeholder process is allowed to be dominated by narrow interests, and then comes to conclusions that contradict adopted city policy. The Lloyd District has been identified in the adopted Bicycle Master Plan as a priority area for seperated bicycle facilities. The North-Northeast Quadrant Planning process calls out the District as an Eco-District relying on increased bicycle use. But the stakeholders in the area do not support the changes needed to meet these goals.

Another lesson for the trail on these efforts comes from the continued reliance on sharing right of way. Cyclists are set up for conflict and failure when we are pitted against freight, cars and development. The trail represents an opportunity to be free of these conflicts with a dedicated space - something everyong can support. Paint and signs will not get the region to its goals for cycling, greenhouse gas reductions, and safety. It is time for something better. 

To get involved in the Rose Quarter/Lloyd District process attend the stakeholder advisory committee meetings. They are listed on the project website, look for the upcoming events on the right.

Another important way to get involved is to write with your comments. Key issues to raise are:

• The need for seperated facilities to protect cyclists.
• Full or partial closure of Holladay to automobile traffic.
• The importance of 12th Avenue for the Gulch Trail, Lloyd Commuters and Benson High students.

Send your thoughts, concerns and support for a better Lloyd District and Rose Quarter to Ellen Vanderslice, PBOT Project Manager, email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

On April 27, 2011 the Portland City Council finalized the agreement with ODOT to fund the trail study. Portland Parks and Recreation will lead the study in a partnership with the Bureau of Transportation. The study will likely commence in May once the contractor agreement is finalized. Portland Parks has already been busy contacting adjacent land owners, meeting with the Sullivans Gulch Trail Committee and preparing a new website and outreach materials. The website for the project can be reached here.

A Stakeholder Advisory Committee will be convened by Portland Parks. This group will help steer the study. We hope to see an ongoing committement to a Gulch Trail that redefines transportation options for cycling. The Gulch Trail should set a new standard in width, seperation of pedestrians and bikes, and have no intersections with auto traffic along the entire route. This type of facility will define Portland as a true leader in cycling, and an important component in our climate change response through active transportation! 

The plan will require nine months to develop a preferred alignment and construction cost estimates.

The Sullivans Gulch Trail Committee is now preparing for the next steps after the planning process. The primary goal is to start identifying construction funding for the project!