The dangers of building a bridge on unstable foundations, and concerns about converting high-quality industrial land for a big box development in McMinnville: 1000 Friends has been active in the Willamette Valley lately.

What do a sidewalk in Keizer, faster bus service in Medford, neighborhood parks in Corvallis, and mixed-use buildings in Bend have in common?

They are all benefits that might arise from Oregon’s most significant recent planning initiative: regional scenario planning.

A recent Opt In survey reveals that Portland region residents are concerned about climate change and safe transportation options in their communities, reports the Portland Tribune's Jim Redden:

Metro sponsored the online survey as part of its Climate Smart Communities Scenarios Project. The regional elected government started the project in response to a directive from the 2007 Oregon Legislature to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles in the metropolitan area.

A big bridge built on shaky projections for population, traffic flow, and toll revenues. Sound familiar? But we're not talking about the Columbia River Crossing between Portland and Vancouver; this is the so-called "3rd Bridge" across the Willamette in Salem. 1000 Friends joined local residents opposing this proposal at a hearing Monday, urging the City Council to reject the proposal.

1000 Friends is pleased to once again participate in the Oregon Active Transportation Summit (OATS), the state's largest gathering of advocates, researchers, planners, and others with an interest in healthy communities where walking, biking, and transit are safe, reliable options for residents.

Portland Mayor Charlie Hales has announced that he intends to restore funding for a sidewalk project on Southeast 136th Avenue in Portland, after a young girl's death in the area.

Creating safe, efficient, and accessible networks for walking, biking, and transit is vital for Oregon's future. 1000 Friends has worked with a coalition of community leaders to call on legislators to provide a secure source of funding for these underfunded modes.

​The Portland Bureau of Transportation's director has proposed removing funding for some sidewalk and curb-cut projects in order to address a backlog in street maintenance.

The Oregonian's Ryan Kost reports on Portland's massive project to replace aging sewers in several of its historic neighborhoods. With a price tag over $150 million, it's a good reminder that it's crucial to consider the long-term costs of infrastructure maintenance and upgrades in growth choices.

The Daily Journal of Commerce has looked into our recent report on the infrastructure challenges facing Oregon communities, and what we can do to save taxpayers money in the long run.