Update: We were contacted by Roy Kaufmann, Communications Director for Mayor Sam Adams with corrections to our post. We apologize for the implication that Mayor Adams was diverting funds from the Big Pipe Sewer project to build bike lanes. However, we still ask the question of how Portlanders feel about the maneuver. We have corrected the question to more accurately ask the question.

Mayor Sam Adams received approval form the City Council to use “savings” from Portland’s Big Pipe sewer project to jump start the Bicycle Plan for 2030. There’s one problem though: the true savings won’t be known until the project is finished. As reported by Willamette Week, the sewer project is expected to increase in cost by 45% because of recently found cobbles and boulders at the site. (Which is odd, isn’t that to be expected when excavating?)

The Bicycle Plan for 2030 is overseen by the Portland Bureau of Transportation, but the funds come from the sewer project. Which means that rate payers will be footing the bill to pay for these bicycle boulevards. Do you approve or oppose this move by the city?

For further information on these projects:

Video on the use of bioswales in Portland
 
The City’s Green Streets program page
 
Link to a video produced on the nexus between bioswales and bike infrastructure.