Reducing Wilsonville's traffic jams starts with recognizing the poor decisions made by state, regional, and local leaders that led to this issue. By addressing these mistakes and making smarter choices moving forward, we can significantly reduce current and future traffic gridlock. It’s clear that better decisions can make a big difference.
The main driver of the traffic issue in Wilsonville stems from leadership focusing on idealistic plans rather than understanding how residents actually live and creating solutions that serve them.
- Accept Reality:
Wilsonville is a community that requires vehicles to function. Failing to plan for cars is a plan for failure.
2.1% of Wilsonville residents commute by Walking or Biking.
Car ownership plays a key role in lifting people out of poverty by improving access to jobs and essential services, especially in rural and suburban areas with limited public transit.
Getting Ahead Starts with Owning a Car | NADA
Car Access | National Equity Atlas
The impossible paradox of car ownership - Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity
- Traffic Engineering:
A preliminary review of Wilsonville's traffic patterns suggests that noticeable improvements could be achieved with simple changes. Using proven methods like Traffic Signal Optimization, Roadway Design, Intersection Analysis, and Congestion Management can lead to short-term gains.
- Rethink Plans:
Why isn't Wilsonville focused on fixing existing bottlenecks instead of creating new ones?
Despite the misinformation, freeway tolling typically worsens traffic. Beyond the harm tolls would bring to Wilsonville, they would undeniably increase congestion. Tolls are often promoted as a fix for traffic jams, but they usually lead to more gridlock on highways and side streets as drivers try to avoid paying.
Link references:
Cities say traffic jams will get worse as drivers avoid tolls | king5.com
ODOT Admits Its Tolls Will Make Oregonians Worse Off - Cascade Policy Institute
Report: I-405 tolls making traffic worse in general purpose lanes – KIRO 7 News Seattle
Cities say traffic jams will get worse as drivers avoid tolls | king5.com
Things you can do to stop tolling:
* Go to NoTolling.com for more.
To manage traffic effectively, Wilsonville needs more control over its own future. Currently, regional and state regulations limit the city’s ability to make key decisions, from high-density housing requirements and restricting the Urban Growth Boundary to incentivizing parking shortages and imposing costly regulations on single-family homes. Without greater local control, Wilsonville’s interests and identity will continue to be overshadowed by outside entities with conflicting goals who don't bear the consequences of their mandates.
Glenn Lancaster of Wilsonville reached out to Clackamas Strong PAC to collaborate on a nonpartisan plan to reduce traffic in Wilsonville. This project, End Traffic Jams, aligns with Clackamas Strong's five goals: Safety, Integrity, Growth, Progress, and Community for Clackamas County, Oregon.
Clackamas Strong openly invites community feedback on improving this plan and any suggestion on where we can serve to improve Clackamas County.