Would you buy a bigger belt to lose weight? As illogical as this sounds, this is the same sort of flawed reasoning behind proposed solutions to fix the Portland Metropolitan area’s traffic problems. Solutions like adding another lane for easing congestion.

This reasoning, the driving force in determining our transportation framework for the past 50 years, has delivered an expensive system that is not only horrendous for our health, polluting our air, water, and contributing to global warming, but also destroying our land and the habitats on them.

How do we evolve the starting point of transportation planning beyond the constant and oversimplified question of, “How do we reduce congestion in this corridor?” Let’s instead ask, “How do we overhaul our approach to shape solutions for our region’s transportation problems in the 21st Century?”

The Coalition for a Livable Future (CLF) has crafted a strategy called Shift the Balance to focus on building community, increasing convenience, and lowering costs to help the same belt fit better, instead of buying a bigger one. The goal is to create a balanced transportation system in the Portland region - one that will address long term needs instead of short-term solutions. To give people more choices and better access to the places they want and need to go, within in an environmentally friendly infrastructure.

Tell us what you think. Take the CLF survey.

Shift the Balance:

This coming year, our regional government, Metro, will update the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP), which will determine how we allocate at least $4.2 billion on transportation in the metropolitan area through 2035. This is a key opportunity to rethink our transportation investment plan.

As a first step, we need to make sure Metro hears from the community. Take the CLF survey and help CLF Shift the Balance.

Need Hard Facts for Making Hard Decisions?

Coalition for a Livable Future : More information on why we should and how we can improve our transportation infrastructure.

Hidden Costs of Transportation: Did you know that “the average American household devotes 18 cents out of every dollar it spends to getting around?” Learn more about the true cost of sprawl.

Health Risks of Sprawl: According to the Sightline Institute, “excessive sprawl can boost chronic illness by about the same amount as aging the entire city’s population by four years.”

The Air We Breathe: “The U.S. has 30% of the world's cars, but they account for 45% of global automotive CO2 emissions,” says Environmental Defense.

Ready to Shape Your Future? Take the CLF survey

Thank You,