Robert G. Paul, P.E., P.L.S.

October 25, 2002

     
I attended at meeting of the Oregon Association of County Engineers and Surveyors in Hood River, Oregon on October 24, 2002. The speaker from the city of Portland reviewed the guidelines proposed at the present time.

One area of concern was the requirement for an elevator for greater vertical changes over 60 inches. The rules treat urban and rural areas the same. Therefore, a bikeway constructed along a river with an overpass across the river would require an elevator. A couple of our current bikeways are located 5 miles from town. Requiring elevators at these locations will make these projects cost prohibitive.

On the issue of protruding objects, could signs be off-set so they don't exceed 4 inches on the walkpath side, but exceed the 4 inch rule on the street side?

We have numerous streets that have a grade of 8 to 12 percent. Constructing cross walks with a 2 percent cross slope will require the intersection grade to be fairly flat. Tjis will require steeper grades coming in and going out of the intersections. This type of construction would greatly increase costs. Will there be some means for cost/benefit factors to be reviewed or is this retrictly a court review?

Thanks for the opportunity to comment.

Robert G. Paul, P.E., P.L.S.
Director of Public Works
Douglas County, Oregon