Our coalition believes that rebalancing the use of the Cornell Corridor is vital to prevent continued decline and ultimate destruction of this portion of Forest Park and neighborhoods adjacent to the corridor.   Rather than simply creating limitations on commuter traffic, our advocates strive to find an inclusive solution that benefits all parties and can be used as a model for future inner city sustainable planning methods. We  support a balanced strategy in conjunction with the City of Portland’s eco-friendly “green” policies and goals for sustainability that encourage low carbon footprint initiatives and improved access for automobile-alternative transportation. Our vision consists of three primary goals :

ENHANCE BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY

·         Provide Ability to Cross Cornell Safely (particularly during rush/school hours)

·         Implement Continuous Dedicated Bicycle Lanes

·         Improve Visibility and Install Better Crossing Amenities and Signage

o        At All Trailheads in Forrest Park

o        At All Stair Crossings in Hillside Neighborhood

o        At Intersection of Westover and Cornell

·         Implement Vehicular Speed Reduction

·         Construct Traffic Calming Solutions

·         Leverage Safe Routes To Schools Program Where Relevant Along Cornell

·         Limit Use of Neighborhood Streets to Local traffic not intended as Commuter routes

o        NW Westover Street

o        NW Summit

o        NW 24^th Ave.

o        Address Traffic Problems Coming From Both Directions

PROMOTE SUSTAINABILITY AND QUALITY OF LIFE

·         Recognize the Importance & Value of Rural Reserves and Historic Neighborhoods

·         Accommodate Multi-Modal Forms of Transportation

·         Design Traffic Integration That Meets Neighborhood and Local Needs

·         Redefine Cornell in Terms of How the Corridor can Serve the Park

·         Recognize and Honor the Cornell Corridor as a Destination as Well as a Parkway

·         Preserve a “Green” Cornell by Reducing the Carbon Footprint, Reducing Vehicle Runoff, and Mitigating Emissions Impacts on Balch Creek

·         Thoughtfully Approach Traffic Calming Designs, as Opposed to Simply Installing More Signage

o        Incorporate Park Gateway Elements as Traffic Calming Measures

o        Reduce the Street Width by Adding  Bike Lanes to Reduce Traffic Speed

o        Consider  Reincorporating Twists and Turns in the Road Reminiscent of Earlier Cornell Road.

CONTROL TRAFFIC FLOW AND EFFICIENCY

·         Incorporate Sustainable Design Construction (Equivalent to LEED)

o        Create a Demonstration Project for Sustainable Road Design

·         Create a Holistic Approach & Solution

o        Make Sure Changes to Cornell Consider the Impact to Other Streets/Neighborhoods

·         Incorporate Travel Demand Management (Consider HOV Designation or Congestion Pricing)

·         Increase Traffic Enforcement or Strategies for Sustaining Slower Traffic

o        Create Gaps in Traffic Flow through Automated Regulation

·         De-Emphasize Commuter-Aspect of Traffic Patterns & Loads

·         Emphasize and Enforce the “Neighborhood Collector” Status Given by the City of Portland

·         Keep Traffic Counts Equal to or Lower then Current Counts

·         Acknowledge & Work with Adjacent Counties (Washington Co) and Organizations (Metro)