Blumenauer: Columbia River Crossing is your decision

Influential congressman wants a regional debate and consensus on contentious bridge plan

By Jim Redden

The Portland Tribune, Jul 7, 2008, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (23 Reader comments)

Although Congressman Earl Blumenauer is a national leader on transit and highway issues, he wants Oregonians to decide for themselves whether they want a new Interstate 5 bridge between Portland and Vancouver.

“I’m trying to help people in Oregon figure out what they want and help them get it,” the Democrat who represents Oregon's 3rd Congressional District told the Portland Tribune. “I want to help them sort through the issues and make sure it is the most complete approach.”

A new bridge is being studied by the Columbia River Crossing, a joint effort between the Oregon and Washington departments of transportation to reduce congestion and improvement safety in the five-mile freeway corridor that includes the existing bridge.

A task force advising the effort recently recommended a replacement freeway bridge with a new light-rail line and improved access for pedestrians and bicyclists, along with related interchange improvements. It could cost an estimated $4.2 billion to build the proposed project.

Governments in the region – including the city of Portland and Metro – are deciding whether to endorse the plan. Some business groups strongly support the project, but some environmentalists and others question the need for the new bridge, worrying that it will increase sprawl and pollution.

Competition for federal funds

If the project goes forward, the federal government would be asked to pay a substantial portion of the construction costs. Blumenauer said the timing for such a request is right because the next session of Congress is scheduled to reauthorize the federal Highway Trust Fund for the first time in six years.

“The reauthorization is going to be critical for us,” he said.

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