Fatal Delays: City's Broken Promise on Hazardous Intersection

tragicPhoto byZachary KeimigonUnsplash

The tragic death of 71-year-old Tom Amato at the intersection of Southeast Woodstock Boulevard and 97th Avenue in Portland has reignited concerns over the safety of this notoriously hazardous crossing. Despite promises from city officials dating back six years, little progress has been made to address the dangers posed by this intersection. The incident, which occurred just 15 minutes after sunset on a Sunday evening, underscores the urgent need for action to prevent further tragedies.

Back in 2018, the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) pledged $6.6 million to implement safety improvements along Foster Road and Woodstock Boulevard, including the installation of a crosswalk, traffic median, and stoplight at the intersection of 97th and Woodstock. These enhancements were slated to be completed by 2020, yet as of now, not even basic measures like crosswalk striping have been implemented.

The bureau cites various reasons for the delays, including staffing challenges, retirements during the pandemic, inflation driving up construction costs, and budget uncertainties. Additionally, competing policy and federal requirements have further hampered progress. Despite Mayor Ted Wheeler's ambitious "Build Portland" plan, which earmarked $600 million for infrastructure improvements over 20 years, the intersection in question has seen no tangible changes.

This failure to act has sparked criticism from transportation advocates like Sarah Iannarone, executive director of the Street Trust, who question the city's commitment to Vision Zero and prioritizing pedestrian safety. Vision Zero aims to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries, emphasizing safe road design and traffic enforcement.

The recent revelation of a $32 million budget shortfall within PBOT has further complicated matters, leading the bureau to explore cost-cutting measures. While Transportation Commissioner Mingus Mapps announced progress in addressing the deficit, concerns remain regarding the prioritization of essential safety projects like the Woodstock Boulevard intersection.

In response to the recent tragedy, the bureau has pledged to reevaluate the project and aims to implement the long-awaited improvements sometime next year. However, for the friends and family of Tom Amato and countless others who traverse this perilous intersection daily, swift and decisive action cannot come soon enough.

The death of Tom Amato serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of bureaucratic inertia and underscores the imperative for local authorities to prioritize pedestrian safety and fulfill their commitments to the community. As residents mourn the loss of a beloved member of their community, they also demand accountability from city officials and swift action to prevent future tragedies on Portland's streets.