Safety, pollution concerns on the Eastern Prom | Letter

As a longtime resident of the Eastern Prom I am happy to see how this beautiful park has been found and enjoyed in the summer by more and more people, largely families.

This said, the city’s response to the increased summer traffic of cars, bicycles and pedestrians, particularly children, has been grossly inadequate. I have recently seen both a bicyclist and a motorcyclist in minor accidents and a very close call with a small child and a speeding truck coming up Cutter Street.

The Prom has become a common setting for cars and motorcycles showboating with speed and sound in both the day and night. I have even seen a drag race between a motorcycle and car heading out from the stop sign (too often treated as optional) at Congress and E. Prom.

The employment of speed bumps and other devices to slow traffic on the Prom and Cutter Street seems critical at this time to prevent tragedy. I have contacted the city about my concerns yet have seen no response. Someone, likely a child, is going to get hurt up here and there is no need for this.

As long as I am grumbling, let me also ask why a metered electrical service for the food trucks has not been installed; the noise and pollution from the seven generators is ridiculous. I enjoy having the trucks here to enhance this beautiful spot, but why we have the generators grinding all day long is beyond me.

John Stewart
Portland

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