Projects

Transportation

JLA is well known for our extensive work in the transportation sector dating back to our founding in 1988. We are the Pacific NW leader in public engagement for all modes of transportation planning and construction projects: bridge, mass transit, rail, interchange, bike/pedestrian and corridor planning. We also offer strong expertise on projects where the worlds of transportation and land use planning converge.

Sellwood Bridge Project

Multnomah County, Oregon
Client: Multnomah County

JLA provided strategy and public involvement management to develop a community-supported preferred alternative to replace an important Willamette River crossing in southeast Portland. This signature project experienced intense community interest. Key issues included funding, bike/pedestrian interests and balancing neighborhood livability with commuter mobility and capacity. Public involvement program included stakeholder interviews, media relations, public open houses and hearings, project website, online polling, public information and social media.

Our inspired "Build Your Own Bridge" program for the Sellwood Bridge was nationally recognized by the Transportation Research Board for its innovative and interactive means of communicating technical information to the general public. JLA produced outreach materials including a neighborhood-based newsletter, community banner and project website generating widespread public awareness and project support.

Westside Express Service (WES) Commuter Rail

Washington County, Oregon
Clients: Washington County Department of Land Use & Transportation and Metro

JLA designed and led the public involvement strategy to explore alternatives for providing commuter rail transit service from Wilsonville to Beaverton in this environmental assessment study. The fast-track process included two series of public gatherings and a variety of other outreach tools that successfully increased public awareness, identified broad consensus, and provided substantive and productive public input to the refinement, evaluation and selection of options. Now operating and known as TriMet's Westside Express Service (WES), the project resulted in the decision to establish passenger rail service from Wilsonville to Beaverton on a 14.7-mile dedicated corridor. WES is one of the few suburb-to-suburb commuter rail lines in the country and an exciting addition to the Portland region's transit options.

Sisters Transportation System Plan Update

Sisters, Oregon
Clients: City of Sisters, Oregon

JLA guided this central Oregon community through a challenging update to its Transportation System Plan (TSP). The City of Sisters updated its 2001 TSP to reflect current population projections, traffic conditions, and past studies conducted to analyze the feasibility of a Hood/Main Street couplet. This complex, high-priority project also identified new transportation system needs and priorities that addressed all modes of transportation including vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian. As part of the project consultant team, JLA also helped develop a "Safe Routes to School" plan for Sisters Elementary and Sisters Middle Schools. JLA provided public involvement strategy, meeting facilitation for a project advisory committee, stakeholder interviews, agency coordination and event planning for the project.