Reposted by Chris Smith
Another important piece of this "can they build caps w/o freeway widening" question is: That option was never studied by ODOT and that's why one lawsuits from @nomorefreewayspdx.com wants a full EIS so that ODOT would have to study whether or not it's possible to build caps w/o fwy widening.
December 10, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Another important piece of this "can they build caps w/o freeway widening" question is: That option was never studied by ODOT and that's why one lawsuits from @nomorefreewayspdx.com wants a full EIS so that ODOT would have to study whether or not it's possible to build caps w/o fwy widening.
Reposted by Chris Smith
If the Rose Quarter project dies, there’s gonna be a lot of hurt in our Black community.
It’s important that we work to repair, and then build a vision for Albina’s restoration that builds space, Black wealth, and a healthy economy and climate for all. It’s possible. We should commit to it.
It’s important that we work to repair, and then build a vision for Albina’s restoration that builds space, Black wealth, and a healthy economy and climate for all. It’s possible. We should commit to it.
December 9, 2025 at 11:27 PM
If the Rose Quarter project dies, there’s gonna be a lot of hurt in our Black community.
It’s important that we work to repair, and then build a vision for Albina’s restoration that builds space, Black wealth, and a healthy economy and climate for all. It’s possible. We should commit to it.
It’s important that we work to repair, and then build a vision for Albina’s restoration that builds space, Black wealth, and a healthy economy and climate for all. It’s possible. We should commit to it.
Reposted by Chris Smith
If you're in Oregon and you care about being able to go places, this needs your attention THIS MORNING. nomorefreewayspdx.com/option3/
ACTION ALERT – Tell the OTC to prioritize snowplows and potholes over endless freeway boondoggles - No More Freeways
This Thursday, the Oregon Transportation Commission will be voting on whether to continue to allocate money towards the doomed Rose Quarter Freeway Expansion or instead direct this revenue to covering...
nomorefreewayspdx.com
December 9, 2025 at 4:06 PM
If you're in Oregon and you care about being able to go places, this needs your attention THIS MORNING. nomorefreewayspdx.com/option3/
Reposted by Chris Smith
Oregon: Should we keep on trying to build an unpopular freeway widening in Portland, or fix potholes and keep snowplows going all over the state?
Seems like there might be space for some urban-rural consensus here.
nomorefreewayspdx.com/option3/
Seems like there might be space for some urban-rural consensus here.
nomorefreewayspdx.com/option3/
ACTION ALERT – Tell the OTC to prioritize snowplows and potholes over endless freeway boondoggles - No More Freeways
This Thursday, the Oregon Transportation Commission will be voting on whether to continue to allocate money towards the doomed Rose Quarter Freeway Expansion or instead direct this revenue to covering...
nomorefreewayspdx.com
December 8, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Oregon: Should we keep on trying to build an unpopular freeway widening in Portland, or fix potholes and keep snowplows going all over the state?
Seems like there might be space for some urban-rural consensus here.
nomorefreewayspdx.com/option3/
Seems like there might be space for some urban-rural consensus here.
nomorefreewayspdx.com/option3/
Reposted by Chris Smith
Every time I’m forced to drive south on I-5 through the Rose Quarter, I stay in my lane, drive slowly, give ample space, and zipper merge at exit 302A like god intended
And then I get home and write Santa another strongly worded letter asking for more funding for public transit
And then I get home and write Santa another strongly worded letter asking for more funding for public transit
December 7, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Every time I’m forced to drive south on I-5 through the Rose Quarter, I stay in my lane, drive slowly, give ample space, and zipper merge at exit 302A like god intended
And then I get home and write Santa another strongly worded letter asking for more funding for public transit
And then I get home and write Santa another strongly worded letter asking for more funding for public transit
Reposted by Chris Smith
I read this story while preparing a recent talk examining what robotaxis mean for biking.
Really puts the "AVs are bicyclists' best friends" claims in perspective.
www.jalopnik.com/1895643/cycl...
Really puts the "AVs are bicyclists' best friends" claims in perspective.
www.jalopnik.com/1895643/cycl...
December 7, 2025 at 10:31 PM
I read this story while preparing a recent talk examining what robotaxis mean for biking.
Really puts the "AVs are bicyclists' best friends" claims in perspective.
www.jalopnik.com/1895643/cycl...
Really puts the "AVs are bicyclists' best friends" claims in perspective.
www.jalopnik.com/1895643/cycl...
Reposted by Chris Smith
I submitted my testimony, and I hope other Portlanders will too. I’d love to see the freeway capped and the historic Albina neighborhood restored and decades of redlining reversed. But the agency’s budgetary crisis is so dire that none of the propositions are realistic, nor responsible.
Action Alert!
Join No More Freeways in demanding that the Oregon Transportation Commission vote to redirect Rose Quarter Freeway Expansion funding to serve ODOT's myriad other needs.
Testimony due by Tuesday - RT and help us spread the word!
www.nomorefreewayspdx.com/option3
Join No More Freeways in demanding that the Oregon Transportation Commission vote to redirect Rose Quarter Freeway Expansion funding to serve ODOT's myriad other needs.
Testimony due by Tuesday - RT and help us spread the word!
www.nomorefreewayspdx.com/option3
December 7, 2025 at 7:15 AM
I submitted my testimony, and I hope other Portlanders will too. I’d love to see the freeway capped and the historic Albina neighborhood restored and decades of redlining reversed. But the agency’s budgetary crisis is so dire that none of the propositions are realistic, nor responsible.
Reposted by Chris Smith
Action Alert!
Join No More Freeways in demanding that the Oregon Transportation Commission vote to redirect Rose Quarter Freeway Expansion funding to serve ODOT's myriad other needs.
Testimony due by Tuesday - RT and help us spread the word!
www.nomorefreewayspdx.com/option3
Join No More Freeways in demanding that the Oregon Transportation Commission vote to redirect Rose Quarter Freeway Expansion funding to serve ODOT's myriad other needs.
Testimony due by Tuesday - RT and help us spread the word!
www.nomorefreewayspdx.com/option3
December 7, 2025 at 2:46 AM
Action Alert!
Join No More Freeways in demanding that the Oregon Transportation Commission vote to redirect Rose Quarter Freeway Expansion funding to serve ODOT's myriad other needs.
Testimony due by Tuesday - RT and help us spread the word!
www.nomorefreewayspdx.com/option3
Join No More Freeways in demanding that the Oregon Transportation Commission vote to redirect Rose Quarter Freeway Expansion funding to serve ODOT's myriad other needs.
Testimony due by Tuesday - RT and help us spread the word!
www.nomorefreewayspdx.com/option3
Reposted by Chris Smith
Two independent studies found that AI chatbots were better at persuading voters than political ads. The most persuasive bots also lied the most. This is something that humans working in psyops have known for decades. AI is psyops at scale. www.technologyreview.com/2025/12/04/1...
December 5, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Two independent studies found that AI chatbots were better at persuading voters than political ads. The most persuasive bots also lied the most. This is something that humans working in psyops have known for decades. AI is psyops at scale. www.technologyreview.com/2025/12/04/1...
Reposted by Chris Smith
As progress on climate goals falters, it is time for state transportation leaders to come to terms with an inconvenient truth: climate goals are not feasible without a swift and methodical reallocation of road space away from cars.
Opinion: One Less Lane Ought To Fix It — Streetsblog USA
Federal inaction means states must lead on reducing emissions — but their reluctance to reallocate road space for cars may doom climate goals.
buff.ly
December 2, 2025 at 3:55 PM
As progress on climate goals falters, it is time for state transportation leaders to come to terms with an inconvenient truth: climate goals are not feasible without a swift and methodical reallocation of road space away from cars.
Reposted by Chris Smith
How Megan Ramey is using bikes to spark independence for kids, calmer streets, and stronger communities. A powerful rethink of how we move and live. Listen here: tinyurl.com/tnkj97bs @bikabout.com
#KidsOnBikes #SchoolStreet #KidCyclists #BikeBus #SafeStreets #ActiveTransportation #Podcast
#KidsOnBikes #SchoolStreet #KidCyclists #BikeBus #SafeStreets #ActiveTransportation #Podcast
November 28, 2025 at 4:26 AM
How Megan Ramey is using bikes to spark independence for kids, calmer streets, and stronger communities. A powerful rethink of how we move and live. Listen here: tinyurl.com/tnkj97bs @bikabout.com
#KidsOnBikes #SchoolStreet #KidCyclists #BikeBus #SafeStreets #ActiveTransportation #Podcast
#KidsOnBikes #SchoolStreet #KidCyclists #BikeBus #SafeStreets #ActiveTransportation #Podcast
Reposted by Chris Smith
if we do indeed get widespread uptake in autonomous vehicles, without proactive bold radical policy it will be an unprecedented nightmare of congestion on our roads and highways, with significant air pollution and climate implications, and also all urban streets will just be downright unpleasant
Almost half the Waymos on California streets are driving around empty. They're either waiting for the next customer or en route for a pickup.
If robotaxis scale, anything close to that level of deadheading would create crushing gridlock.
www.thedriverlessdigest.com/p/what-cpuc-...
If robotaxis scale, anything close to that level of deadheading would create crushing gridlock.
www.thedriverlessdigest.com/p/what-cpuc-...
November 20, 2025 at 7:39 AM
if we do indeed get widespread uptake in autonomous vehicles, without proactive bold radical policy it will be an unprecedented nightmare of congestion on our roads and highways, with significant air pollution and climate implications, and also all urban streets will just be downright unpleasant
Reposted by Chris Smith
A truly lovely snapshot of Portland’s cycling infrastructure and initiatives during a time of “war” (on artisanal chilli crisps) - thank you @nerd4cities.bsky.social:
youtu.be/ARTLXxPI2X0
youtu.be/ARTLXxPI2X0
Let’s Survey the Carnage of War-Torn Portland
YouTube video by Ray Delahanty | CityNerd
youtu.be
November 19, 2025 at 6:22 PM
A truly lovely snapshot of Portland’s cycling infrastructure and initiatives during a time of “war” (on artisanal chilli crisps) - thank you @nerd4cities.bsky.social:
youtu.be/ARTLXxPI2X0
youtu.be/ARTLXxPI2X0
Reposted by Chris Smith
Based on Republicans' actions during the session and their push to repeal HB 3991, it's clear their stance on transportation policy isn't about policy at all. It's about politics and power. Democrats have it, Republicans want it.
bikeportland.org/2025/11/19/o...
bikeportland.org/2025/11/19/o...
Opinion: Oregon faces dead end if Republicans lead transportation conversation
With paltry gains likely headed for the ballot, it's time for Democrats to stand up and fight back.
bikeportland.org
November 19, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Based on Republicans' actions during the session and their push to repeal HB 3991, it's clear their stance on transportation policy isn't about policy at all. It's about politics and power. Democrats have it, Republicans want it.
bikeportland.org/2025/11/19/o...
bikeportland.org/2025/11/19/o...
Reposted by Chris Smith
Me: I wish all these tech bro types would stop misunderstanding sci-fi and fantasy classics
Monkey's Paw: Bro.
Monkey's Paw: Bro.
Border Patrol chief Greg Bovino "also revered Starship Troopers, Robert Heinlein's 1959 military sci-fi classic about an interstellar war between humans and alien bugs - a book his sister says he still reads to this day."
An endless amount of deranged details in this interview with Greg Bovino's sister, but most notably that his uncle produced the Jack Nicholson movie The Border and the depiction of the agent as corrupt radicalized him as a 12-yr-old.
"Since then, he was like, 'Dude, I want to do Border Patrol.'"
"Since then, he was like, 'Dude, I want to do Border Patrol.'"
November 17, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Me: I wish all these tech bro types would stop misunderstanding sci-fi and fantasy classics
Monkey's Paw: Bro.
Monkey's Paw: Bro.
Reposted by Chris Smith
1. Highways don’t address local transportation needs.
2. Highways are a liability.
3. Highways destroy financial productivity.
4. Highway development is driven by top-down priorities.
2. Highways are a liability.
3. Highways destroy financial productivity.
4. Highway development is driven by top-down priorities.
November 14, 2025 at 11:48 PM
1. Highways don’t address local transportation needs.
2. Highways are a liability.
3. Highways destroy financial productivity.
4. Highway development is driven by top-down priorities.
2. Highways are a liability.
3. Highways destroy financial productivity.
4. Highway development is driven by top-down priorities.
Reposted by Chris Smith
The world isn’t prepared for the amount of reflective safety jackets currently inside @powells.bsky.social to come listen to @thewaroncars.bsky.social
November 14, 2025 at 2:50 AM
The world isn’t prepared for the amount of reflective safety jackets currently inside @powells.bsky.social to come listen to @thewaroncars.bsky.social
Reposted by Chris Smith
ODOT director Kris Strickler announced on Wednesday he will step down at the end of this year, as the agency continues to grapple with cost overruns on major projects and seeks permanent funding for the state’s highways, bridges and maintenance workers.
Leadership exodus continues at Oregon’s transportation agency
Agency director Kris Strickler is the latest high-ranking official to leave the state transportation department in the past year.
www.oregonlive.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:19 AM
ODOT director Kris Strickler announced on Wednesday he will step down at the end of this year, as the agency continues to grapple with cost overruns on major projects and seeks permanent funding for the state’s highways, bridges and maintenance workers.
Reposted by Chris Smith
Removing fares from transit can have positive impacts. But... We need to consider the potential trade offs.
"Would you rather have a free bus that comes every 30 minutes or pay $2 for a bus that will come every 8 minutes?"
t4america.org/2025/11/12/f...
"Would you rather have a free bus that comes every 30 minutes or pay $2 for a bus that will come every 8 minutes?"
t4america.org/2025/11/12/f...
Fare free transit is great, but reliable services are better - Transportation For America
Politicians are talking about the cost of transit–a valid and important issue impacting transit ridership. NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani utilized his campaign platform to shed more light on the polic...
t4america.org
November 12, 2025 at 11:53 PM
Removing fares from transit can have positive impacts. But... We need to consider the potential trade offs.
"Would you rather have a free bus that comes every 30 minutes or pay $2 for a bus that will come every 8 minutes?"
t4america.org/2025/11/12/f...
"Would you rather have a free bus that comes every 30 minutes or pay $2 for a bus that will come every 8 minutes?"
t4america.org/2025/11/12/f...
Reposted by Chris Smith
aaand ODOT just removed this item from the agenda of tomorrow's meeting.
November 12, 2025 at 8:48 PM
aaand ODOT just removed this item from the agenda of tomorrow's meeting.
Reposted by Chris Smith
November 12, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Reposted by Chris Smith
The reasoning given here for ruling out highway cover width reduction makes no sense. Shoulders are routinely used as temporary travel lanes during construction. A cap designed for three lanes and standard shoulders in each direction would have adequate width for four temporary lanes on one side.
November 11, 2025 at 11:56 PM
The reasoning given here for ruling out highway cover width reduction makes no sense. Shoulders are routinely used as temporary travel lanes during construction. A cap designed for three lanes and standard shoulders in each direction would have adequate width for four temporary lanes on one side.
Reposted by Chris Smith
Also just remembering half the money came from local bridge projects getting cancelled to put up a match for a grant we didn’t get for RQ 💀
November 11, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Also just remembering half the money came from local bridge projects getting cancelled to put up a match for a grant we didn’t get for RQ 💀
Reposted by Chris Smith
Nobody wants to accept that they've worked for years to build nothing.
So it hurts when an infrastructure project dies. It hurts for the planners, engineers, and politicians.
We need more discussion of this process, because when it's repressed, it becomes a bad reason projects should never die.
So it hurts when an infrastructure project dies. It hurts for the planners, engineers, and politicians.
We need more discussion of this process, because when it's repressed, it becomes a bad reason projects should never die.
After years of delay and months of very bad news, ODOT staff will ask their bosses if it's finally time to pull the plug.
bikeportland.org/2025/11/11/i...
bikeportland.org/2025/11/11/i...
Is this the end? State transportation commission could defund I-5 Rose Quarter project
Project staff call the question after eight years of planning and little progress to show for it.
bikeportland.org
November 11, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Nobody wants to accept that they've worked for years to build nothing.
So it hurts when an infrastructure project dies. It hurts for the planners, engineers, and politicians.
We need more discussion of this process, because when it's repressed, it becomes a bad reason projects should never die.
So it hurts when an infrastructure project dies. It hurts for the planners, engineers, and politicians.
We need more discussion of this process, because when it's repressed, it becomes a bad reason projects should never die.
Reposted by Chris Smith
There are a lot of Portlanders who consider themselves progressive but turn reactionary when they see visible poverty.
The urge to just make poverty disappear from sight instead of working toward holistic solutions is why we don’t have nice things in this country.
Poverty is a social creation.
The urge to just make poverty disappear from sight instead of working toward holistic solutions is why we don’t have nice things in this country.
Poverty is a social creation.
November 11, 2025 at 4:59 PM
There are a lot of Portlanders who consider themselves progressive but turn reactionary when they see visible poverty.
The urge to just make poverty disappear from sight instead of working toward holistic solutions is why we don’t have nice things in this country.
Poverty is a social creation.
The urge to just make poverty disappear from sight instead of working toward holistic solutions is why we don’t have nice things in this country.
Poverty is a social creation.