Portland seeks better understanding of cargo transport issues

Portland seeks better understanding of cargo transport issues    The Portland City Council adopted a resolution last week approving creation of a freight master plan designed to give freight issues greater visibility in overall planning and development, according to the Port of Portland.
   The master plan will be used to develop strategies to ensure the efficient movement of cargo via the surface transportation system.
   “This resolution is a recognition by the city council that freight mobility is vital to our economic well-being and that the needs of freight should get equal consideration when decisions are being made regarding transportation infrastructure improvement funding,” said Susie Lahsene, the Port of Portland’s planning manager and a member of the Portland Freight Committee that prepared an interim report.
   The resolution recommends initiating several short-term priority projects, including:
   * An engineering program to rate the load limits on city bridges to better prioritize and fund needed bridge repairs.
   * Giving priority to trucks in freight districts that are lined up at freeway entry ramps in order to give them quicker access, particularly at peak traffic hours.
   * Allowing trucks the use of high occupancy vehicle lanes and/or restricting use of such lanes to trucks when not in use for motorists.