The current I-5 bridge overthe Columbia.(Photo © J. Maus)

We reported last week that the Bicycle Transportation Alliance has decided to resign from the the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee for the Columbia River Crossing project.
A new post to the BTA blog by advocate Michelle Poyourow goes into detail about this decision. The post particularly [...]

A living example of an under-deck bike path in Roseburg, Oregon, at dusk. (Photo by Stephanie Noll)

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Screenshot from Nick Falbo's animated presentation on alternatives to the 12-lane CRC.- Watch below-

With the BTA flexing some muscle on the Columbia River Crossing project and a grassroots effort in opposition to a 12-lane bridge by Rising Tide Cascadia well under way, some of you might be curious about what other alternatives exist.
Nick Falbo [...]

[8/26, 4:42pm: This story has been updated with reaction from CRC project staffer David Parisi.]

"The BTA is done with this public involvement theater... we're not going to play this game any more." -- Michelle Poyouorow, Bicycle Transportation Alliance

As reported earlier today, the staff from the Columbia River Crossing project held a meeting of their Pedestrian [...]

These are the two options bike and pedestrian advocates are being asked to choose from... but what if neither are acceptable?

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Last week we pointed out an article by The Oregonian's editorial board about funding for the bike and pedestrian facility on the new I-5 bridge.
The response was written by BTA Board Chair Mary Roberts and Vice-Chair Stephen Gomez on behalf of the Board and the Staff Advocacy Committee. Here's the BTA's response:
"The Oregonian’s point about [...]

Looks nice, but advocates want a commitment that it will stay that way.

As we reported last month, the new I-5 bridge design that has won most favor with Columbia River Crossing (CRC) project staffers and advisers is a "stacked" bridge with the bike and pedestrian path underneath.
Below-deck bikeways have typically been shunned by bike advocates [...]

Grassroots activists at Sunday Parkways explained why they want to stop a 12-lane I-5 bridge.(Photos © J. Maus)

Columbia River Crossing (CRC) project watchers are buzzing after a front page story in The Oregonian yesterday detailed its planning costs.
According to reporter Dylan Rivera, the planning effort for the new I-5 bridge has cost taxpayers $65 million. [...]

Artists rendering of bike/ped facility underneath in a two-bridge, "stacked" configuration.(Graphics: CRC)

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Riders queue up at a stop lightduring the Anti-CRC ride Saturday.- Slideshow below/More photos -(Photos © J. Maus)

Over 80 people met on Saturday to ride in protest against the Columbia River Crossing project. The event was put together by Rising Tide Cascadia to coincide with Pedalpalooza and raise awareness of the negative impacts of [...]

Detail of ride flyer.

Cascadia Rising Tide -- a grassroots network of activists that, "take direct action to confront the roots causes of climate change and promote local, community-based solutions to the climate crisis" -- will lead a ride next week exploring areas of North Portland that will be impacted by the Columbia River Crossing (CRC) [...]

Brother, can you spare $4 billion?(Photos © J. Maus)

If you had $4 billion to spend on transportation, what would you do?
Come join our very own Jonathan Maus at tomorrow night (Thursday, May 7) at 7:00pm at Roots Organic Brewery at 1520 SE 7th Ave for a game show-style debate over what kinds of projects we [...]

Front page of The Columbian newspaper today.

U.S. Congressman Brian Baird (D-WA) is featured in a front page story in today's edition of The Columbian newspaper expressing his concerns about the "fiscal reality" of the new I-5 bridge (the story is only available in their print edition).
Echoing a sentiment shared by economist Joe Cortright at Sunday's [...]

If you missed Sunday's CRC rally in Waterfront Park, Dan Kaufman from CrankMyChain! CycleTV has put together a video with 7+ minutes of footage (watch it below).
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View of the crowd from atop the Morrison Bridge.-Slideshow below-(Photos © J. Maus)

A large and energetic crowd showed up for the CRC Opposition and Alternatives Rally held in Waterfront Park today.
They were energized by a long list of speakers ranging from Portland City Councilor Amanda Fritz to Republican Washington State Senator Don Benton. [...]

Organizers of the CRC Opposition and Alternatives Rally have just released their third spoof "Bridge Shopping Network" video. But something has gone awry -- hosts Joe and Kristen's sales pitch is interrupted by anti-CRC hackers!
From the release notes:
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Current routes to the rally

Planning to attend Sunday's Build Less Bridge CRC Opposition and Alternatives Rally?
A new online map can help you meet up with other folks riding from your part of town, or organize a feeder ride of your own.
The event is on Sunday, April 5th at noon in Waterfront Park under the [...]

An anti-12 lane CRC sign(Photo © J. Maus)

An editorial in this morning's Oregonian criticizes Bicycle Transportation Alliance leaders for their recently stated opposition of the plan to build a new, 12-lane highway bridge over the Columbia River, and for encouraging their members to attend a rally in opposition to the plan.
Claiming that the BTA seeks [...]

Below is the full text of the BTA's press release in opposition to the CRC project:
BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION ALLIANCE FORMALIZES OPPOSITION TO COLUMBIA RIVER CROSSING
Monday, March 22, 2009 – The Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) announced today our opposition to the massive freeway expansion, known as the Columbia River Crossing, that is being planned between Portland [...]

"Expanding the freeway and constructing six new massive interchanges will do tremendous damage to the bike friendliness of communities around the project."-- From a press release issued today by the BTA

The Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) issued a statement today in opposition to the Columbia River Crossing project. The statement is by far the BTA's [...]