Even natural attractions outside of urban areas have parking shortages and congestion problems.
Jamie Hale reports on a pilot project in Oregon that will hopefully to address the congestion and parking shortages on the Columbia Gorge near Multnomah Falls. Driving to Multnomah Falls, writes Hale, "has long been a pain in northwest travelers' necks, who on busy weekends can be found duking it out for a parking spot at the most popular destination in Oregon."
As a solution, the Oregon Department of Transportation and the U.S. Forest Service have launched a new bus service that will connect Portland with the Columbia River Gorge including Multnomah Falls.
"The bus service will be a two-year pilot program, attempting to alleviate some of the congestion at Multnomah Falls which often backs up onto the left lane of Interstate 84," reports Hale. "The parking lot at the falls closed 181 times due to overcrowding over the last 22 months, according to the department. Of those, 129 closures came on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays." The Columbia River Gorge Express, as the shuttle bus is called, began service on Friday, may 27, 2016.
FULL STORY: New bus service links Portland to Multnomah Falls, aimed at reducing congestion
Oregon DOT's Columbia River Gorge Bus Service a Smashing Success
The first season of a two-year pilot project for the Columbia Gorge Express has been a huge hit.
Oregon Youth Activists Protest Highway Expansion
A group of young climate activists are demanding an end to traffic-inducing road expansion projects and a renewed commitment to sustainable, transit-oriented transportation.
Study: Wider Highways Won't Reduce Congestion
Widening highways won't reduce congestion—that's the conclusion of a report paid for by the state agency proposing several highway widening projects in Oregon.
Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?
Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.
Placekeeping: Setting a New Precedent for City Planners
How a preservation-based approach to redevelopment and urban design can prevent displacement and honor legacy communities.
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Idaho Data: Unexpected Vehicle Repairs Exacerbate Housing Instability, Eviction Risk
Over 21 percent of clients struggle with transportation barriers.
A Year-Long Investigation On Permanent Supportive Housing
The New York Times reveals what’s working and what’s not in the cornerstone of Housing First.
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