I see the tower to the east of I-5 is almost complete. I don't know what I was expecting, but that thing is going to be a SERIOUS distraction to drivers in the area. Has ODOT signed off on this at all? Do they or the feds have any regulations on such things? I mean seriously, the gondolas (or whatever) will be floating within 100' of the roadway. And from a purely visual distraction standpoint, that's not safe.

Posted by: Chris Snethen at July 17, 2006 05:39 PM

There are going to be accidents, no question about it. Particularly northbound on I-5 -- it's right in your face, and it's right where traffic tends to stop abruptly whenever I-84 backs you all the way up over the Marquam. Look for some big crashes at 4:00.

Posted by: Jack Bog at July 17, 2006 05:42 PM

It's going to be a SNAP? That's too much! ROTFL

Posted by: Allan L. at July 17, 2006 08:23 PM

Pull OFF I-5 to go over the Ross Island...you pass close enough to throw spit balls at it. And with the new stop light there...gotta hope people are paying attention!

Posted by: Frank Dufay at July 17, 2006 08:24 PM

I'll be giving this one (http://www.sandiapeak.com/) a ride next month - and will report back.

Posted by: Hinckley at July 17, 2006 08:47 PM

As so far reported to the NM URAC there are no permits yet granted for the Tram by the Feds or the State. Interesting-build it then hopefully get the permits. I wish as a builder I could build something then wait for the permits. Only in Portland.

Posted by: Lee at July 17, 2006 09:48 PM

I'm sure Wyden and Blumenauer will twist every arm to get the federal permits. Then some people will die, then some very expensive warning signs will go up, and finally some kind of mutli-million dollar visual barrier. Portion of these costs paid by OHSU and the condo developers: zero.

Posted by: Jack Bog at July 17, 2006 11:24 PM

it will be a snap

wow, bad choice of words...

Posted by: Jon at July 18, 2006 07:47 AM

https://www.binaryscience.com/swf/Images%5Ccurrent.jpg

I've been meaning to share this web site that I found. Keep up on the Tram from your desk.

Posted by: tom at July 18, 2006 11:30 AM

https://www.binaryscience.com/swf

That was just an image this is the web site to a web cam pointing at South Water Front.

Posted by: tom at July 18, 2006 01:02 PM

Bog says: There are going to be accidents, no question about it. Particularly northbound on I-5 -- it's right in your face, and it's right where traffic tends to stop abruptly whenever I-84 backs you all the way up over the Marquam. Look for some big crashes at 4:00.

But...but...the gondolas are supposed to look like giant soap bubbles. You think that drivers are going to hit the brakes for a soap bubble overhead?

Okay, maybe they will, but if it's the northbound lane, wouldn't the bulk of the accidents be between 7 and 9 am?

Posted by: godfry at July 18, 2006 03:02 PM

They're going to look like very large buses, and they'll be moving fast.

Northbound's actually worse right there in the afternoon, mostly because of the I-84 backups onto I-5.

It's going to be especially fun in the dark. Wait 'til it's getting dark at 4, raining cats and dogs, and one of those babies swoops down over some little old lady driving up from Albany. Accident City.

Posted by: Jack Bog at July 18, 2006 04:45 PM

Over at his blog, http://www.commissionersam.com/node/695
PDOT's Rob Barnard said they have already "secured" the FHWA Airspace Lease.

Gecko: Status of FHWA Airspace Lease?

Rob Barnard: It has been secured.

(June 2006)

I would assume that means that it's been filed and the Feds haven't said no. There's something about the word "secured" that is distinct from completed, accepted, granted, etc.

I would be shocked if they made the actual FHWA Airspace Lease available for public review.

Posted by: Mister T at July 18, 2006 08:38 PM

[Posted as indicated; restored later.]