Have We Got a Bridge to Sell You! - The Columbia River Crossing

[rsb97060]

I never said that I was fully in favor of the current CRC plan. Frankly I don't see how 12 lanes will work when ultimately they squeeze back into 6 lanes within a mile or two on each side.

Furthermore, I believe that a third crossing somewhere else such as Troutdale to Camas would have made much more sense based on the explosive growth throughout the 90's in east Clark County.

Build like it's 1959? We're using 1959-era infrastructure, thus the need for something else.

[pdxktv]

Are you suggesting we replace every bridge older than 1959?

[rsb97060]

Of course not. And as I stated before I don't like the idea of replacing this span. But anytime the idea for a third crossing elsewhere across the Columbia comes up, it gets shot down rather quickly. So as far as I'm concerned they should leave it a is. If you drive I-5 over the Columbia, good luck to ya'. Why should those damn Washingtonians live over there anyway if they work here? Since they have to pay Oregon income tax regardless, they should pay our horrendous property tax too!

[pdxktv]

RSB: "So as far as I'm concerned they should leave it a is."

Sound good to me.

PS -RSB, don't forget the WA state sales tax, which you are still required to pay even if you buy in Oregon.

[rsb97060]

"Now live even further away from where you work."

I can't afford to live close to where I work due to high property taxes, high water and sewer rates, high crime, and crappy schools. Plus everyone is crammed so close together it would do wonders for my claustrophobia.

Why not let the old bridges just fall down and then we can run ferry boats across the river. Better yet, form the Dinghy Transportation Alliance and encourage everyone who crosses the Columbia to row themselves across!

[pdxktv]

We'd be lucky if all our local bridges were in as good of shape as current I-5 crossing. It is not even on the list of structurally deficient bridges.

If that's your argument for this boondoggle, try again.

[rsb97060]

My comment about letting it fall down is in regards to the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis. When it collapsed did they all sit around wringing their hands, pointing the finger, having foolish protests, etc.? No! They built a larger bridge within ONE YEAR! Granted, the circumstances are entirely different with CRC but it looks like that's what it would take (a bridge collapse) to even get this damn thing off the ground. Even then I'm sure that the Portland bicycle lobby would try like hell to stop it

[bestboy2011]

ROTFL - go back and read the tickers - they're the best part of this satire!

[peejayfixie]

Is there a warranty that comes with this bridge? I want to know that if I don't like it 10-15 years from now, that it can be UNbuilt.

[holyloki]

We've been talking about doing this since before the repression set in. The bridge is in bad repair and needs to be fixed, or is safety not a concern? Not to mention the light rail...

This video is a bunch of bs, the arguments are surface at best. Since when don't we build things on debt, for people who can't think that far ahead (children) yet?

Build For your children's future, maybe, instead of trying to be fiscally conservative and do nothing, and leave them a city/mess to fix.

[pdxktv]

In comparison to other bridges around Oregon and Washington this bridge is in great shape.

Clark County residents are not asking for and do not want light rail. Oregonians usually don't use this bridge. Freight is stuck because 1-person commuters converge at during rush hour. Their solution: give these commuters more lanes.

This will be the largest works project in the regions history and it just brings us more sprawl, more congestion. It's not a real solution.

CRC FAIL - Try again

[rsb97060]

Based on your assessment that Oregonians don't usually use this bridge, why not sell it or transfer responsibility to WSDOT? Then they can maintain it, replace it, or do whatever with it. Currently, ODOT is responsible for maintaining the Interstate Bridge, and Glenn Jackson Bridge. Let them take (at least) one and share the burden.

[pdxktv]

That's an interesting idea. Will Washington pay Oregon's share, as well?

If that happened I bet you wouldn't see a new bridge.

[rsb97060]

If Oregonians aren't using it, why should we care, right?

[pdxktv]

Strangely enough we care about the single largest regional transportation investment ever.

Many Oregonians have a different vision for transportation than you, one that moves away from dangerous and expensive single occupancy motorcars, massive freeways, sprawl, pollution and war.

[rsb97060]

War?! I'm about as anti-war as one could get. As for sprawl, I thought that the solution for that was all the new crackerbox apartments being built, and those million dollar plus condos in "The Pearl." I thought that the Portland Development Commission had it all under control.

[pdxktv]

Yeah, war. You seem pretty smart. Do I have to spell it out for you?

I'd rather live in a million dollar condo in the Peal than a million dollar McMansion in the 'couv - but that's just me. Nice part about the Pearl condo is that you wouldn't HAVE to own a car.

[kebler823]

12 lanes? 6 car lanes, 3 NORTH 3 SOUTH, 2 Choo Choo train lanes, 2 bicycle lanes, 2 Pedestrian lanes. Only 4 billion dollars.

[bestboy2011]

Kebler - it's 12 lanes - 3 thru lanes, two auxillary lanes ( for cars) and 1 more for trucks - that cars will use as it fills up in coming years. Then comes the third bridge - the one for the light rail, the bike and pedestrian lanes. But since your math is so bad maybe you should buy two of these bridges.

[StreetfilmsVlog]

Nice idea!

[underscorefool]

you know, these guys always get you on the shipping charges. watch out!

[four2113]

Only 1 million payments of $4,000?

Can I get a bailout to purchase?

[revphil]

i want a bridge from Portland to marry hill direct! its not like we have to pave the ENTIRE Columbia, just enough to make my life obscenely comfortable

[jebus03]

I'll take two! Nothing like spending our way out of another depression!

[travelnewt]

What if I call now? Will you through in another bridge?!

[gabrielamadeus]

brilliant!

[nic0ric0]

I'll take two!

[organichaus]

Very nice work. I want to drive two cars across it. Excellent work.

[k1elucas]

I'm almost sold. NOT!