Latest news with #MillicentWilliams
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Next phase of project boosting Lents neighborhood's tree canopy is underway
PORTLAND, Ore. () — The second phase of a project that aims to boost Portland's tree canopy is underway. has added 15 trees to the Lents neighborhood so far this year. The joint pilot project from the Portland Bureau of Transportation, Portland Parks & Recreation and the Bureau of Environmental Services specifically targeted Southeast Duke Street, from Southeast 82nd Avenue to Southeast 94th Avenue. Two Vancouver schools renamed due to eponymous figures' violent legacies Although a across the city, the Lents neighborhood was specifically identified as an area with few street trees and a lack of space to plant more. Portland agencies plan to launch the next steps of the pilot project this spring, with design development and outreach to the community members in the other targeted areas. Southeast 87th Avenue near Lents Park, and Southeast Steele Street and 101st Avenue near Lent Elementary School and Bloomington Park, are the sites being considered for the second phase. Construction crews could begin adding planting space in the areas as soon as this summer. According to PBOT Transportation Director Millicent Williams, the ongoing project while also mitigating the effects of climate change. 13 international students at Oregon State University face deportation over revoked visas 'A thriving urban forest is essential to the health and well-being of our communities,' PP&R Director Adena Long added. 'PP&R and our Urban Forestry team are committed to growing and caring for our tree canopy so every Portlander benefits from the cleaner air, lower temperatures, and habitat trees provide.' Additionally, the Portland chapter of Women's Transportation Seminar International is slated to present the 'Trees in the Curb Zone' project with its 'Innovative Transportation Solutions' award this month. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Yahoo
Portland traffic deaths decline, but deadly trends persist, new report says
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Although traffic deaths have dropped in the metro area, there are still 'deadly trends' in high-crash corridors, according to a new report by the Portland Bureau of Transportation. , released Thursday, said 58 people were killed in traffic crashes on Portland streets in 2024, compared to a record 69 traffic deaths in 2023. This data also marks the lowest count of traffic deaths since there were 54 killed in 2020. ODOT intends to buy portion of Hayden Island to offset impacts of I-5 bridge replacement 'While the 19% reduction in traffic deaths in 2024 is a step forward, every life lost remains a tragedy,' Portland Mayor Keith Wilson said. 'The City of Portland is committed to Vision Zero, the philosophy that every traffic death is preventable through the right combination of infrastructure, education and enforcement.' Wide, multi-lane streets and speeding continue to be among the risk factors for these deaths, the report noted. In 2024, 71% of those deaths also occurred on the High Crash Network, the 30 streets and intersections with the most serious crashes. Further trends the report cites that the crashes occurred frequently in dark conditions with impaired driving also a contributing factor. Oregon lawmakers scramble for solutions to public defender crisis According to PBOT, nearly half of the traffic deaths took place in City Council District 1, Portland's easternmost district, which is mostly east of I-205. There are more low-income residents and people of color in that area as well. But despite these trends, the report notes there have been changes in crash data where safety improvements to high-crash corridors are already being made. For one, PBOT collected safety data on Northeast 102nd Avenue from 2019 to 2024, which showed fewer crashes and lower vehicle speeds. Further safety improvements — including reduced speed limits, new street lighting, speed camera installation and other major infrastructure projects similar to 102nd Avenue — are also making a difference, according to PBOT. 'When PBOT has funding to make our streets safer, we see results,' PBOT Director Millicent Williams said. 'We are gratified to see traffic deaths decline, but one year does not make a trend. We encourage everyone to continue to be conscientious, to drive with caution, and look out for pedestrians and people biking.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
