Fell/ARCO Traffic Plan Well-Received by NOPNA Members

Drivers would queue along curb and out of the bike lane and off the sidewalk with new MTA plan

The new, proposed design for traffic on Fell Street between Scott and Divisadero was well-received by members of the North of the Panhandle Neighborhood Association (NOPNA) Thursday night. James Shahamiri, Assistant Traffic Engineer for the Municipal Transportation Agency (MTA), presented the plan to an audience of sixty neighbors. A few members asked questions about the number of parking spaces to be removed, but no one voiced opposition to the proposal.

The outreach to NOPNA represented the start of MTA's outreach to residents most directly affected by the planned shifting of motorists waiting to enter the ARCO gas station to a curbside queue. Shahamiri said the agency would also distribute information to the households along the block of Fell Street. A public hearing will be scheduled to consider the removal of the four parking spaces directly east of the ARCO driveway. Shahamiri told BIKE NOPA before the meeting that the MTA would also post a sign at the ARCO entry on Fell that advises drivers to not block the sidewalk. (The current sign directs motorists to keep the driveway clear with no mention of the sidewalk). As reported here earlier, the MTA plan may include the city's first green bike lane to guide both bicyclists and motorists on the block. Implementation of the new design could occur in June of this year.

Portland already has several green bike lanes. Flickr photo by BikePortland