extending light rail to the north · in addition, the project will provide transit connections to...
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Extending Light Rail To The North
The Columbia River Crossing project (CRC) is expanding transit options between Portland and Vancouver and will improve connections, reliability and travel times for riders. This bi-state project will extend an existing 52-mile light rail system across the Columbia River to connect the region’s largest and most concentrated employment area in downtown Portland with Vancouver.
Connecting CommunitiesThe Portland–Vancouver region is expected to grow significantly in the next 20 years, with a million more people projected to live here by 2030. Light rail will improve mobility for many people and provide a viable alternative to automobile travel, helping to relieve congested conditions across the Columbia River. The completed light rail extension will provide reliable transit service between many key regional destinations including:
Vancouver and Portland central business districts and •employment centers
Entertainment and retail districts such as Esther Short •Park, the Oregon Zoo and regional theater companies
Sporting venues, including Rose Quarter and Delta Park•
Colleges and universities, including Clark College and •Portland State University
Vancouver and Portland convention centers•
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Vancouver
WASHINGTONHAYDENISLAND
ClarkCollege
Portland
OREGON
Highway Improvements
Existing Highway and Bridge
Proposed Light Rail Alignment
Existing MAX Yellow Line
Proposed Park and Ride
Proposed Light Rail Stations
The Columbia River Crossing Project (CRC) is expanding transit options in Vancouver and will improve connections, reliability and travel times for riders.
Columbia River Crossing CRC is a long-term, comprehensive solution to address safety and congestion problems on I-5 between Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington. The project will replace the I-5 bridge, extend light rail to Vancouver, improve closely-spaced interchanges and enhance pedestrian and bicycle pathways.
Benefits to local residents, the natural environment and the regional economy include:
Improved safety •A more reliable trip for freight, autos, and transit •Reduced congestion on I-5 and adjacent neighborhoods •No bridge lifts•Earthquake protection •New and sustained jobs with improved access to •ports and highways Reduced emissions and improved water quality•
PROjECT PARTNERs
In addition, the project will provide transit connections to the region’s other light rail lines, streetcar lines, Amtrak passenger rail service and C-TRAN and TriMet bus routes.
Light Rail Designs The CRC project team is working closely with the community to create a light rail system that fits well into the adjacent neighborhoods.
The transit portion of the CRC project will include a 2.9-mile extension of TriMet’s Yellow Line from the existing Expo Center Station in north Portland, Ore., through downtown Vancouver, Wash., to a terminus near the Marshall/Leupke Center.
Hayden IslandA station is planned as part of the light rail extension. The station will be located on the west side of I-5 a short distance from the Jantzen Beach SuperCenter. The station is being designed to support the goals of the Hayden Island Plan, which is a City of Portland neighborhood plan developed with local input to reflect the long-term vision of the community.
Vancouver
In downtown Vancouver, trains will travel north on Broadway Street and south on Washington Street in a dedicated lane. Trains will travel east and west on 17th Street to the terminus station near the Marshall/Luepke Center. Four transit stations will be built along the line. In addition, three park and ride facilities are planned to accommodate about 2,900 parking spaces. Park and rides will be built near Fifth and Washington streets, 15th and Washington streets, and across from the Marshall/Luepke Center.
Designing a safe systemPlanning for safety and security on and around light rail is a top priority for C-TRAN, TriMet and the CRC project. The new light rail line is being designed to promote safe interaction between light rail trains, cars, pedestrians and bicyclists. A cooperative agency effort and the application of safety and security principles will ensure that light rail is designed and constructed to run safely, securely, dependably and efficiently.
CRC is using design strategies proven to reduce the potential for crime at stations and on trains. Significant input from advisory groups, local jurisdictions and the public will help in the design of a safe system. Recommendations include:
Integrate stations into the community, near residential •and commercial buildings.
Manage pedestrian access to stations through the •thoughtful placement of entrances and exits, fencing, lighting and landscaping.
Design stations so that user activity is easily visible, with •clear lines of sight into and out of the station.
Ensure stations are well-maintained and visually pleasing •using high-quality materials, attractive design features and public art.
Create a well-defined separation of stations and •crosswalks from automobile traffic, using distinct pavement textures and traffic signals.
Use visual and audible warning devices to alert •pedestrians, bicyclists and drivers to approaching trains.
Did You Know?
u �At opening, weekday peak service will provide
trains every 7.5 minutes, with 15-minute service
during off-peak periods.
u �By 2030, there will be about 18,700 trips crossing
the Columbia River on light rail each day, with
about 6 million boardings annually.
u �Travelers between Vancouver and downtown
Portland will also have the option of using a
C-TRAN Express Bus.
US Department of Transportation: Federal Transit Administration • Federal Highway AdministrationCity of Vancouver • City of Portland • SW Washington Regional Transportation Council • Metro • C-TRAN • TriMet
Couplet Option #3Side-Running Track and Station
Downtown Vancouver Rendering (above) and Plan View Sketch (lower right)
Similar Design: Denver, CO
Design concept for light rail in downtown Vancouver.
Design concept for light rail station in Hayden Island.
FederalTransitAdministration•FederalHighwayAdministrationCityofVancouver•CityofPortland•SWWashingtonRegionalTransportationCouncil•Metro•C-TRAN•TriMet
Providing Passenger securityCRC is working closely with the City of Vancouver and City of Portland police, and C-TRAN and TriMet security to maximize passenger safety at stations and park and ride facilities, as well as on light rail trains. CRC’s security plan will include:
Monitoring stations and trains by transit security and •local police officers
Enforcement of fare payment•
Installation of closed-circuit TV (CCTV) at light rail •stations, park and rides and on trains
Partnerships with local law enforcement and the regional •9-1-1 system to have the closest available units available as “first responders” to any incident
Programs to remove graffiti, pick-up litter and •maintain landscaping
Working with local government to develop appropriate •land uses near transit stations
Community Feedback shapes DesignCommunity advisory groups are working with CRC project staff to ensure community preferences and the needs of transit riders are considered in light rail system planning. Transit advisory group members include business and neighborhood leaders, transit riders and agency representatives. The groups have met more than two dozen times since 2008 to conduct field visits, review plans and provide feedback. In addition, five open houses have been held in the communities to gather input on the light rail extension. Community input has resulted in the following work to date:
Design guidelines for the Hayden Island station•
Route for the Vancouver portion of the line•
Station locations in Vancouver•
Guidance on traffic and parking along the Vancouver route •
The community will continue to be consulted as light rail designs are refined to gain input on appearance of the stations and streets, park and ride designs and security plans. The monthly meetings of the Portland Working Group and Vancouver Transit Advisory Committee are announced on the CRC website and open to the public.
Transit police and fare inspectors help increase passenger safety.
Station lighting increases visibility for those on or approaching platforms.
Cable, bollards and distinctive surfaces help define transit, auto and pedestrian areas.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) INFORMATIONMaterialscanbeprovidedinalternativeformats:largeprint,Braille,cassettetape,oroncomputerdiskforpeoplewith disabilities by calling the Columbia River Crossing (CRC) project office at (866) 396-2726. Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may contact the CRC project through the Telecommunications Relay service at 7-1-1.
TITLE VI NOTICE TO PUBLIC WsDOT and ODOT ensure full compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by prohibiting discrimination against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin or sex in the provision of benefits and services resulting from its federally assisted programs and activities. For questions regarding WsDOT’s Title VI Program, you may contact the Department’s Title VI Coordinator at (360) 705-7098. For questions regarding ODOT’s Title VI Program, you may contact the Department’s Civil Rights Office at (503) 986-4350.
UPDaTeD: March 17, 2011
HOW CAN I gET INVOLVED? Visit the website at www.ColumbiaRiverCrossing.org to •sign up for updates and view the project calendar
Attend an advisory group meeting•
Invite CRC staff to your group to discuss the project•
Contact the project office to talk with a staff member•
E-mail: [email protected]
Mail: 700WashingtonStreet,Suite300 Vancouver, WA 98660
Phone: 360-737-2726 or 503-256-2726
Fax: 360-737-0294
schedule and Next steps In july 2008, local project partners reached consensus that a replacement bridge and light rail extension would best meet project goals and community needs. In December 2009, CRC received approval from the Federal Transit Administration to enter into preliminary engineering, a phase of design which focuses on refining the cost estimates and the work necessary for construction planning.
The governors of Oregon and Washington convened an Independent Review Panel in 2010 to evaluate key project assumptions and plans for implementation. The panel’s report confirmed a new river crossing is necessary and made recommendations which are informing future efforts. A separate, collaborative local review process in 2010 also resulted in recommendations for project design and is moving the project closer to construction.
Analysis of the project’s environmental and community effects will be included in a Final Environmental Impact statement.
Transit Funding The project is applying for $850 million in Federal Transit Administration New Starts funding. This funding includes the cost of building the light rail track, purchasing 19 new light rail trains, building stations and park and rides and expanding existing light rail maintenance facilities. Long-term operation and maintenance of the new light rail line is proposed to be funded through C-TRAN and TriMet.
C-TRAN is requesting an increase in the local sales tax rate of 0.1 percent (one cent per $10 purchased) to fund future high capacity transit systems, including operations and maintenance of light rail, and the construction, operations and maintenance of a bus rapid transit line for Fourth Plain. A public vote is expected in November 2011.
www.ColumbiaRiverCrossing.org
*Schedule may be adjusted, pending results of the Bridge Review Panel in early 2011.
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Final Design Phase
Soonest construction could beginConstruction complete
Independent review panelLocal agency reviewPreliminary engineeringLight rail alignment selected
public outreach
Bridge Review PanelSelect bridge typeFinal Environmental Impact Statement Federal Record of Decision Property acquisition process could begin
Light rail service begins