Posted by Jonathan Maus (Editor) on October 28th, 2008 at 11:16 am
This defunct freeway ramp serves
as a reminder of Portland’s freeway-fighting past.
(Photo:
John Russell)“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
–philosopher George SantayanaMuch of the why Portland is a city where bikes, pedestrians, and transit can flourish, is because we have taken a stand against freeways. Two events coming up in November will educate a new generation about Portland’s proud history of freeway fighting and removal.
In the late 1960s and early ’70s, plans for the Mt. Hood Freeway (that would have run through the heart of Southeast Portland) were canceled after neighborhoods revolted and city planners threatened a lawsuit.
Bikes enjoy a ride in Waterfront Park,
perhaps unaware that it used to be
a freeway.
(Photo © J. Maus)In 1974, a piece of the 99W freeway (known as Harbor Drive) along the western shore of the Willamette River in downtown Portland was removed. In its place was put Tom McCall Waterfront Park, which stretches from the Steel Bridge to the Riverplace Marina — and Portland became the first major U.S. city to remove an existing freeway.
It’s important to note that both of these areas (Southeast Portland and the Waterfront) now see some of the highest levels of bike and pedestrian activity anywhere in the city...
Read the rest of the article at bikeportland.org
John Ferguson
THE car is king: new analysis shows per capita vehicle travel is almost nine times that of public transport.
As Cabinet finalises the Victorian Transport Plan, the Brumby Government research shows that personal vehicle travel in Victoria dwarfs that of trams, trains and buses.
A survey of 17,000 households shows that vehicle trips continue to climb. The average Victorian travels more than 9000km a year as either a driver or passenger.
But public transport, though growing in popularity, is attracting patronage of just over 1000km each year.
As a percentage of motorised trips, public transport has, however, climbed from just under 10 per cent between 1994 and '99 to about 13 per cent in 2008.
The figures show that fewer people are using private vehicles to drive into the CBD. But the overwhelming number of trips by Melbourne residents are in cars.
The Victorian Integrated Survey of Travel and Activity data is being used by Cabinet to help it decide how to respond to the Victorian Transport Plan.
The Herald Sun reported this month that a $700 million road bypassing Frankston and slashing travel times for thousands of motorists will be built next year.
The Victorian Integrated Survey of Travel and Activity study, conducted over 12 months from May last year, excludes professional driver travel such as taxis and trucks.
Each member of 17,000 households was asked to fill in a diary for every day of the year covering all forms of travel, from cars to walking the dog.
Clay Lucas
CONTROVERSIAL laws have been used to stop the public finding out how Connex and Yarra Trams plan to spend over half a billion dollars of public money.
The Brumby Government has relied on commercial-in-confidence laws — which it attacked repeatedly while in opposition — to keep secret the two operators' annual planning documents.
Under freedom of information, The Age requested that the Government release Connex's and Yarra Trams' last five franchise business plans.
The business plans must be given to the Government annually to show how the companies plan to run Melbourne's train and tram network.
After speaking with Yarra Trams and Connex, the Department of Transport deemed the documents too sensitive to release.
"Disclosure would be likely to expose Connex and Yarra Trams … unreasonably to disadvantage," the department's legal adviser, Yvonne Han, said.
Access to Connex and Yarra Trams' most recent business plans was also blocked because it would hamper their bid to keep the lucrative contracts to run trains and trams here, she said.
Both companies are bidding to retain the contracts to run Melbourne's trains and trams for another 15 years. The winning tenderers for the contracts will be announced next July.
Connex and Yarra Trams refused to release their franchise business plans to The Age, also citing "commercial-in-confidence" reasons.
The companies will get $537 million in government payments this financial year, while each also earns over $200 million in fares.
Connex is owned by French company Veolia, and Yarra Trams is owned by MetroLink Victoria — a joint venture between France's TransDev and Australia's Transfield Services.
The Public Transport Users Association said the plans should be public because a privately run transport system needed complete transparency.
"A lot of taxpayer money is going to these companies, so we have a right to know how that money is being spent," president Daniel Bowen said.
Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky declined to comment on the issue.
As opposition leader in the 1990s, Premier John Brumby repeatedly attacked the Kennett government's use of the commercial-in-confidence laws.
Mr Brumby, who promised greater transparency when he became Premier last July, told Parliament in 1994 that the Kennett government had a "propensity to hide behind freedom-of-information legislation and … use expressions like commercial-in-confidence" to keep documents secret.
Opposition transport spokesman Terry Mulder said: "Mr Brumby's hypocrisy in hiding these documents is exceeded only by his inability to deliver the roads, rail lines, trains and trams Victorians need."
Read the original article at TheAge.com.au
Larissa Ham
Former Victorian Liberal leader Robert Doyle has confirmed he will run for lord mayor of Melbourne.
Mr Doyle, the state opposition leader from 2002 to 2006, will formally announce this morning that he will join the race for the top job.
The former Scotch College teacher is among nine candidates so far to nominate, including the Greens' Adam Bandt, deputy lord mayor Gary Singer, pollster Gary Morgan and Melbourne councillor Catherine Ng.
Mr Doyle holds roles as the chairman of Melbourne Health and director of management consultancy The Nous Group.
He told Radio 3AW this morning that his nomination came after careful consideration.
"I've been in public life once and it didn't end very happily. So you've got to be sure that you've got something to offer and that you want to do something," Mr Doyle said.
His nomination will not be endorsed by the Liberal Party.
"Although yes I'm a Liberal and a very proud one, I'm not bringing the Liberal Party to town hall.
"I want to actually stand as someone who can do things for Melbourne, who can activate things, get things moving again," he said.
Mr Doyle said the task of winning the lord mayor's job would be a tough one.
"I'm certainly no shoo-in as people have suggested. This is an uphill battle and I recognise that."
Mr Doyle will announce his running mate at 10am.
Nominations for the lord mayor's job close at midday tomorrow.
Ballot papers for the election will be sent out from November 11, with voting closing on November 28.
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