The Portland Bureau of Transportation announced Wednesday afternoon that the speed safety cameras on Northeast Marine Drive will start issuing speeding tickets beginning Thursday, March 22. The agency was only issuing warnings for the first 30 days of the cameras' activation. The cameras are mounted in two locations on the corridor - westbound near Northeast 138th Avenue and eastbound near Northeast 33rd Avenue.
According to a recent Facebook post, data collected during the warning period shows that the number of drivers speeding on Northeast Marine Drive has decreased substantially since the camera installation:
- Before the cameras were installed, an average of 11,113 vehicles per day traveled over the speed limit in the area.
- After the cameras were installed, an average of 3,366 vehicles drove over the speed limit on Northeast Marine Drive reflecting a 70 percent decrease from the initial speed studies.
- Top-end speeding (driving 10 mph or more above the posted speed limit) was reduced by 95 percent.
An average of 1,480 vehicles per day exceeded the speed limit by 10 mph or more before the camera installation. After the cameras were installed, only 80 vehicles per day did.
SOUTHEAST PORTLAND 8:45 a.m.; Reader reports a crash at Southeast 17th Avenue and Holgate Street. Power pole down.
***
VANCOUVER 8:31 a.m.; Stall blocking the right lane of I-5 southbound just after the SR 500 overpass.
***
SUNSET HIGHWAY 8:30 a.m.; Stalled truck is blocking the exit lane on U.S. 26 westbound prior to the Bethany exit.
Update 8:54 a.m.; Cleared.
***
TRIMET WES LINE 8 a.m.; TriMet reports WES is delayed about 15 minutes through the end of morning service due to a signal issue at Tigard Transit Center.
***
BEAVERTON 7:45 a.m.; Blocking crash reported on Southwest 158th Avenue between Walker and Baseline roads.
***
ALOHA 7:32 a.m.; Serious crash involving several vehicles at Southwest 198th Avenue and Farmington Road. Tow trucks on the way. Farmington is blocked westbound.
***
DOWNTOWN 6:30 a.m.; A downed tree is blocking lanes at the intersection of Southwest First Avenue and Market Street. Avoid the intersection.
Update 7:29 a.m.; Tree had been cleared from the travel lanes (mostly) but not the crosswalk. Pedestrians need to use caution in this intersection.
***
Winter driving conditions expected. The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for travel in the Cascade passes, Coast Range and southern Oregon. Those traveling above 1000 feet elevation from Thursday night into Friday should be prepared for winter driving conditions and check the route for chain or traction device requirements. Check the status of your route at TripCheck.
TriMet riders have a new tool to help them stay on schedule and avoid delays. Beginning Thursday, March 22, TriMet will tweet service alerts from @trimetalerts. The goal is to eventually provide more and clearer information about delays and disruptions, including bus line service alerts.
The Oregonian/Oregonlive's Andrew Theen writes about pain at the pump.
Check back throughout the morning for the latest commuting updates and follow us on Twitter: @trafficportland
#pdxtraffic Tweets