The Rose Lane Project, which began as a grassroots initiative advocating for bus-only lanes in 2017, may soon receive renewed attention from Portland’s city leadership.
Officially launched in 2019 and adopted by the City Council in 2020, the project was envisioned to enhance a network of dedicated bus and bike lanes throughout the city.
However, over the past seven years, only about half of the 70 identified projects aimed at improving bus service speed and efficiency have been completed.
In the last three years, just four significant Rose Lane projects have been implemented: SW Alder, NE Couch, SW Capitol Hwy, and E Burnside.
Many factors, including a decline in ridership due to COVID-19, shifts in political leadership, and a constrained budget environment, have contributed to the stagnation of the Rose Lanes initiative.
At a recent City Council meeting focused on Vision Zero, Councilor Candace Avalos sparked excitement among transit advocates by announcing her office’s pursuit of a resolution recommitting to the Rose Lane Project.
“I just wanted to flag for my colleagues that my office is looking into proposing a resolution on affirming our commitment to the Rose Lanes,” Avalos stated.
This potential resolution aims to align the city’s transportation objectives with its Vision Zero goals, which seek to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries.
The movement for faster and more reliable public transit continues to hold importance among local officials and community advocates despite changes in circumstances.
In response to inquiries regarding Avalos’ comments, Chief of Staff Jamey Evenstar highlighted the project’s significance prior to the pandemic, expressing concern over its deprioritization.
Evenstar, who was integral to the Rose Lane project when it launched, noted, “The Rose Lane Project was a big deal before Covid hit and we are deeply concerned that it has been deprioritized and changed over the last 5 years.”
She also made it clear that the team is in the early stages of strategizing how to move forward with the original goals of the project.
“All I can share at this point is that we are interested in learning where the administration is in terms of implementation of the original plan,” Evenstar remarked.
The next steps may involve revisiting the initial project plan’s intentional analysis of root causes that influence transit use, or potentially, incorporating updated ideas in light of current circumstances.
Avalos’ office is still in the brainstorming phase, but as plans develop, she is expected to garner significant support from her fellow council members for enhancing public transit options.
Transit advocates may find this an opportune moment to re-engage and organize their support for the Rose Lane Project, contributing to a renewed focus on bettering the bus service in Portland.
As the city considers its transportation priorities, the success of the Rose Lane initiatives could play a critical role in addressing both climate change and equity for marginalized communities disproportionately affected by the area’s car-centric infrastructure.
image source from：bikeportland
