Neighbors have requested that the Concordia Neighborhood Association take a look at lowering the speed limits on Alberta and Killingsworth within the neighborhood.
There have been complaints that, for Alberta Street, 25 mph is a bit too fast in a situation where cars are parked right up to every corner, every intersection has two crosswalks, there are mid-block alley crossings, bicyclists are sharing the lane with cars, buses, and larger vehicles, and parallel parking maneuvers are a routine fact of life.
Similarly, Killingsworth at 30 mph represents a dangerous barrier, preventing easy crossings from the south to the north side of the Concordia neighborhood. One neighbors’ family had their car totaled when pulling out on to Killingsworth, where vehicles parked right up to the intersection along the curb block the view
of fast-moving oncoming traffic. Bicyclists have been hit while trying to cross from one side to the other of Killingsworth, and it represents a scary crossing for pedestrians as well, especially with signed and marked crosswalks few and far between.
In December, the LUTC recommended, and in January, the CNA Board unanimously adopted, a proposal to ask the City to lower the speed limit through the neighborhood on Alberta from 25 to 20 mph; and on Killingsworth from 30 to 25 mph. The 20 mph on Alberta would thus match the 20 mph on Fremont through Beaumont Village, in keeping with state law that requires 20 mph through commercial districts. The 25 mph on Killingsworth would more closely reflect its status as a mixed use pedestrian and bicycle corridor.
Concordia residents interested in discussing this or any other issue related to land use and transportation are invited to attend the Concordia Neighborhood Association Land Use and Transportation Committee (CNA LUTC) meetings at 7pm on the third Wednesday of the month, in the Community Room in the SE corner of McMenamins Kennedy School. To join the LUTC mailing list, send an email to: pdx_ cna_lu_and_t_committee@googlegroups.com
