Petition going around right now, to put guard rails up on Marine Drive to prevent people from going over into the water. Problem is, a study was put up back in 2008, 2010, 2012, and 2014 to investigate issues relating to the deaths on Marine Drive, and when Guard Rails or Cables were investigated as a viable option, [as per the study, if you do the research], it was discovered that it would cost more than 60 million to revamp, including an addition 12 feet of space on the drive, which is already at the maximum allowance for the location. The 2012 report can be found here. https://portlandoregon.gov/transportation/article/385782 Now, I know youre asking why it would take 12 feet of additional space in order to put these concepts [cables or barriers] in. Rigid barriers such as concrete and semi-rigid barriers such as steel guardrail, exhibit impact deflections of 0 to 4 ft, respectively.[1] Flexible systems such as cable barriers deflect between 8 and 12 ft upon impact. Given these relatively large deflections, cable barrier systems are not usually considered appropriate to shield fixed objects closer than 8 ft offset of the traveled way. Even when the available clearance exceeds 8 ft, the public seems to have a greater level of confidence in a more robust barrier. 4 ft of impact doesnt seem like much on a highway, when theyre inbetween two lanes of traffic that are 8-10 feet, but when youre putting it on a roadway with a pedestrian and a bike lane that is 8 feet away, and a downslope that is 2-6 feet away that dumps into the river, its a big thing. And you have to account not only for the guard rails, the posts, and the actual distance it would take. The above commentary regarding barriers is a post from the Federal Transportation Authority, who has to regulate to make sure. But what theyre saying is this. if they put in Cables, theyd have to add 8 feet on the other side of them, because an impact at 55 mph would cause them to give between 8 and 12 feet of impact zone. Barriers would only give about 4 feet, but that doesnt stop a) a car from going over it or b) include the width of the barrier involved. This would infringe on the Portland International Airport, and other locations along the beautiful drive. It would need to be that large of a space because guard rails and cables in Oregon have a specific requirement regarding placement, and if youre going to do one side, youve got to do the other. The real problem here, is speed, the speed limit, which was originally 50 mph, was reduced to 45 mph east of 33rd, and 40 mph west of 33rd. A study was created to investigate this, and is readily available online for people to download or investigate the options [see 2012 above].....it would also close Marine Drive for 1-2 years while the construction was done, and wed need both federal and state approval to infringe on an airport location and state parks. In 1980, I was one of several Cub Scout [and later Boy Scouts] who were on patrol out there. I learned all about the dangers of the area, about the driving conditions, and grew to love the fact that the water was so close, and the bike trails going up and down it. In 2002, as part of my Topography and Oceanography at PCC [deals with more than just the Water in the Ocean, also deals with Lakes, Streams, etc], I was required to do a report about a body of water within the area. So I did mine on Marine Drive and the Columbia River. The thing is, guard rails arent going to prevent someone going 55 mph into the River, if they really want to go there. They arent going to prevent a massive truck from rolling through the area or keep pedestrians from being there. Its an optional way to get from point A to point B and because Columbia Blvd is so trafficy, people take Marine Drive to get there faster. Speed becomes a resulting issue. when youre going 55 mph on Marine Drive, and the flow of traffic is such that you cant control your vehicle, or because youre talking on your cell phone, or youre eating, or speaking to a friend, and you dont pay attention to what youre doing, you become one of the 18 deaths caused by high speed collisions from 2001-2010. Rather than try and create a monsterous project that will take years to build and enforce, lets do something about the enforcement of the speed limit. Lets drop the speed down to 35, make it a leisurely drive or something that will make drivers go slower. If youre scared of driving on Marine Drive, dont go there. its a choice to take that route. Complaining about something without actually doing the research or discovering what other options exist...... I recently posted a comment regarding this on a friends status, and was told that I was rude. I was typing from my cellphone at the time, so I didnt have the chance to incorporate the research, or the links or anything. So I swapped to the laptop to get there. Im just sorry that the person friended me, scolded me, and then blocked me [all within 20 seconds], because she wont get to see the information that I have in spades about this area. Or why Im so adamant about it not trying to destroy a landscape and landmark because someone chose to drive too fast, lost control of their vehicle, and ended up in the river....lets preserve our traditions and landscapes rather than destroy things because of fear. Rather than create a guard rail, lets reduce the speed limit on Marine Drive, enforce it with hefty fines, and most of the accidents will decrease.
Posted on: Sun, 11 Jan 2015 21:53:02 +0000
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