December Safe Routes News and Resources

Newsletter
Published
Safe Routes to School in white text against an orange background with icons depicting a shoe, a scooter, a skateboard, a wheelchair, a bike and a bus.

Dear parents, caregivers, and community,

As the temperatures get colder and the calendar year comes to a close, we're fondly reminiscing on the memories we've made with families, friends, neighbors, and the larger Safe Routes to School community. Thank you for your continual commitment.

Before we bid 2022 farewell, we also want to take a moment to thank Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty for her work to support kids and youth throughout Portland. With each new piece of infrastructure that we install using the funding that Commissioner Hardesty dedicated to Safe Routes to School, we know we're closer to our goal of giving families a choice of safe, convenient, accessible, and desirable active transportation. And as we enter the new year, we'll remember Commissioner Hardesty's legacy and strive to embody her courage and determination within ourselves. 

With gratitude,
Safe Routes to School Team | Dana, Janis, Abra, Lale, Xao, Meaghan & Brittany  

In this email:

  • Get winter ready with tips and email updates from PBOT
  • Thank you, Commissioner Hardesty!
  • TriMet 2024 fare increase proposal feedback opportunity
  • Video: World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims 2022
  • Job and volunteer postings

An illustration of a Sasquatch shoveling snow on a street sidewalk with text that reads, "Get ready! Winter ready PDX."

Get winter ready with tips and email updates from PBOT

As we enter the winter season, it's time to get ready for potential winter weather. You can sign up for updates and tips, delivered right to your email inbox or text messages.

In addition to our winter weather information, Portland Bureau of Transportation provides updates on a variety of projects and programs as well as news releases, traffic advisories, and more.

Follow this link to see a list of available topics and subscribe to the ones that interest you. We are constantly adding new programs and projects to our list.

You can also follow PBOT on FacebookYouTubeTwitter, and Instagram.

A picture of a snowplow at work during a winter snowstorm on a street near a pedestrian crossing sign.

What you need to know in the event of a winter storm:

In the event of winter weather, PBOT works to keep vital transit lines and emergency routes open in winter weather. These snow and ice routes are the most critical for our city’s police and fire stations, hospitals, schools, frequent bus routes, the downtown core, and major business districts -- about a third of our entire street grid.

PBOT’s mission is to provide at least one passable lane in each direction on these routes so that vehicles with front wheel drive or traction devices can get through. Depending on the severity of snow and ice, it can take up to three 12-hour shifts for our essential workers to sufficiently treat our routes with anti-icer. In a major snowfall, it can take our crews up to one 12-hour shift to plow our routes. Learn more about our winter weather response here.

Get connected:

  • Get Home Safe: Winter Travel Tips: How to plan ahead for winter weather, plus essential tips for taking transit, walking, biking, and driving in winter weather.
  • Winter Weather Center: Interactive map showing PBOT’s priority snow and ice routes, where we deploy salt, as well as real-time traffic, weather, road closure, and plow information.
  • Road Closures: Current PBOT winter weather road closures and chain advisories. 
  • Public Alerts: Stay Informed. Sign up for emergency notifications via text, email, or phone from regional agencies including PBOT, the Oregon Department of Transportation, TriMet, and Multnomah County.
  • Report Road Hazards: Call PBOT Maintenance emergency dispatch 24/7 at 503-823-1700.
  • PBOT Notifications: Choose the PBOT notifications you want to receive via email or text including news releases, traffic advisories, and winter weather information. 
  • PBOT on Social Media: Visit PBOT on Facebook or follow @PBOTInfo on Twitter and Instagram for news, alerts, road closures, advisories, and more during winter weather.

A picture of Commissioner Hardesty smiling and holding a custom-made "E Hardesty Way" street sign.

Thank you, Commissioner Hardesty!

This month, our Safe Routes to School team had the opportunity to bid a fond farewell to Commissioner Hardesty and her team for supporting more than 67,000 students at 110 schools in five districts throughout Portland. To honor her service on the City Council, Portland Bureau of Transportation Director Chris Warner presented the outgoing commissioner with a custom-made "E Hardesty Way" street sign as a gesture of gratitude.

Ever since the mayor appointed her commissioner-in-charge of Portland Bureau of Transportation in 2020, Hardesty's remained true to her commitment to making streets safer for families travelling to and from school and around their neighborhoods. With the extra funding Commissioner Hardesty dedicated to Safe Routes to School, we can now install more infrastructure to allow families the opportunity to choose active transportation that is safe, convenient, accessible, and desirable.

Thank you! We are grateful for all the work you accomplished as our commissioner.


A picture of a person holding an Adult TriMet HOP Fastpass card up to a card reader.

TriMet 2024 fare increase proposal feedback opportunity

TriMet is considering increasing fares in 2024, and they want your feedback. This proposed increase would help address inflation and the growing costs of operating the transit system. If approved, the new fares would take effect January 1, 2024. The TriMet Board of Directors will vote on the proposed fare increase at its May 24, 2023 meeting.

Share your feedback online now through February 2023. TriMet also invites feedback about the proposed fare increase at several in-person and virtual events

The proposal calls for the following fare changes: 

  • Adult: 2.5-hour ticket up 30 cents to $2.80, day pass up 60 cents to $5.60
  • Honored Citizen: 2.5-hour ticket up 15 cents to $1.40, day pass up 30 cents to $2.80
  • Youth: 2.5-hour ticket up 15 cents to $1.40, day pass up 30 cents to $2.80
  • LIFT Paratransit: single ride ticket up 30 cents to $2.80

The proposal calls for no change to monthly and annual fares.


A picture of a person delivering a speech in front of advocates with signs at Portland's 2022 World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims commemoration event.

Video: World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims 2022

On November 20, Families for Safe Streets of Oregon and SW Washington joined with crash victims, street safety organizations, community members, faith leaders, elected officials, dignitaries, and Safe Routes to School staff to honor those who have been killed and injured on roads around the globe – 1.35 million people each year worldwide – as part of World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.

You may watch a video of this year's Portland commemoration here.

Portland’s Vision Zero program is committed to specific, measurable actions to move toward zero traffic deaths and serious injuries on Portland streets. No person should die or be incapacitated in the everyday act of moving about. But each year dozens of Portlanders lose their lives doing just that. Learn more about Portland's Vision Zero commitments and how we are making streets safe through Vision Zero here.


Job and volunteer postings

Our partners are currently recruiting for multiple paid and unpaid volunteer positions:

1. Portland Public Schools Safe Routes to School Program Coordinator: Conduct analysis and planning to create a Portland Public Schools Safe Routes to School Implementation Plan in partnership with the Oregon Department of Transportation SRTS consultant, the Portland Bureau of Transportation, PPS schools and other community stakeholders. Participate in various committees and meetings and coordinate events to further program goals. Serve as point of contact for all SRTS Implementation Plan questions and concerns. Open until filled. Job posting here.

2. Division Midway Alliance Program Coordinator: Division Midway Alliance is looking for a motivated and culturally responsive Program Coordinator who will oversee DMA core programs, provide support to DMA’s cultural liaisons and build partnerships with existing and new program partners, government entities. DMA is located in one of the diverse districts in the city of Portland, serving communities from diverse ethnic and language backgrounds. Therefore, this position requires a good understanding of East Portland communities. The ideal candidate for this job is community-oriented, collaborative, detail-oriented, resourceful, innovative, self-aware, attentive, a team player, and a good problem solver. The successful candidate will have a range of opportunities to develop skills, knowledge, and confidence in working for justice-oriented community development work. Open until filled. Job posting here.

3. Fixing Our Streets Oversight Committee Volunteer: The Fixing Our Streets Oversight Committee plays an important role in ensuring the accountability of the 10-cent gas tax voters approved in May 2020. The list of projects, construction schedule, and line-by-line budget for Fixing Our Streets projects are overseen by both Portland Bureau of Transportation project managers and this appointed oversight body. The diverse group of Portlanders that make up the Oversight Committee bring with them not only budget and project management experience, but a wide range of interests within the transportation community. The Fixing Our Streets Oversight Committee provide advice and support to city council. Closing 1/8/2023. Volunteer posting here.

4. Planning Commission Volunteer: The Planning Commission makes recommendations to city council on the city’s long-range goals, policies, and programs for land use and planning. In making recommendations, it considers the economic, environmental, and social well-being of the city in an integrated fashion. The commission has specific responsibility for guiding, developing, maintaining, and updating the development and maintenance of the city’s Comprehensive Plan and zoning code. The commission deliberates using a climate and equity lens and is committed to effective public involvement and leadership in its work. The Planning Commission will consist of nine members, none of whom may hold public elective office. The members are appointed by the mayor and are confirmed by the city council. The membership of the Planning Commission should include broad representation of Portland’s community and reflect the dynamic nature of this changing city. Closing 1/10/2023. Volunteer posting here