Bike barriers installed to enhance walk along the river

From ODOT

Before construction started on the Willamette River Bridge, the local Citizen Planning Committee for the Whilamut Natural Area of Alton Baker Park was working with the Willamalane Park and Recreation District to address pedestrian safety issues on the Riverside Trail. On the north side of the Willamette River, the trail starts near the Aspen Street boat ramp and connects to the Walnut Road Path just before it passes under Interstate 5.

The Riverside Trail is ideal for a leisurely walk, but it is not suitable for biking due to its narrow, winding, bumpy terrain. Park planners hoped that by diverting bike traffic to more direct routes, the riverside path would become a pedestrian-only trail. Unfortunately, bike traffic continued to use the path, even after it was realigned and signage was posted.

To resolve the safety issues, the Oregon Department of Transportation agreed to design and install a pair of off-set bike gates that prohibit bike traffic but allow access to people with physical disabilities. These gates, called chicanes, were installed in January 2012.

This is just one way ODOT works with the Willamalane Park and Recreation District to enhance the park and mitigate the impacts of replacing the Willamette River Bridge.

New bike diversion gates have been installed at the western end of Riverside Trail in Eastgate Woodlands part of the Whilamut Natural Area.

Signs installed beside the bike diversion gates reinforce the prohibition of bicyclists from using this trail.