City Council backs Adams on I-5 bridge plan

Amanda Fritz is the only commissioner to vote against mayor’s plan

By Jim Redden

The Portland Tribune, Feb 25, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (14 Reader comments)

The Portland City Council on Wednesday supported Mayor Sam Adams' regional proposal to move forward on the proposed new Interstate 5 bridge between Portland and Vancouver, Wash.

With only Commissioner Amanda Fritz voting against the plan, the council approved a resolution sponsored by Adams calling for a Columbia River Crossing bridge of up to 12 lanes managed by a bi-state mobility committee that would determine such issues as the actually number of lanes and the tolls that would be imposed on both the new bridge and the existing Interstate 205 Glenn Jackson Bridge.

“This is an unusual step, but this region is known for innovative transportation planning,” said Adams.

Commissioner Nick Fish said the vote showed that Adams was exercising leadership on regional issues, despite the controversy swirling around him after admitting he had sex with a former teenage legislative intern.

"People have questioned whether he can show leadership, but on this issue, he is leading," said Fish.

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