There’s a new effort to show Clackamas County Commissioners that — despite their comments at a recent meeting — there are many people who support a new carfree bridge over the Willamette River between Oak Grove and Lake Oswego. The push to boost support comes as people who live near where the bridge would be located have begun to make their voices known (see photos below).
Looking to push against that opposition, the Willamette River Crossing Coalition has launched a website and petition aimed at influencing a key vote on the Oak Grove Lake Oswego bridge project set to take place this Friday (10/25).
Last week we reported on a meeting of the Board of Clackamas County where four out of five commissioners expressed significant skepticism about the project. Despite a county survey and two official open houses that heard a strong majority in favor of the project, commissioners claimed the project doesn’t have public support.
This Friday the project’s Policy Committee will decide whether or not the project is feasible enough to warrant further study. Committee members include: Milwaukie Mayor Mark Gamba (gambam@milwaukieoregon.gov), Metro Councilor Christine Lewis (Christine.Lewis@oregonmetro.gov), Lake Oswego City Councilor Jackie Manz (jmanz@ci.oswego.or.us), and Clackamas County Commissioner Paul Savas (bcc@clackamas.us). The new group in support of the project wants to gather signatures and comments early enough to deliver them to these elected leaders prior to Friday’s vote.
Advertisement
“The next five days are critical if we are to keep this project moving forward,” the coalition’s action alert reads. “Currently, a well-funded opposition effort to kill the project is weakening support with local elected officials.” Here’s more from the website:
“As our region grows we need a transportation network that is safe, addresses worsening congestion, and reduces impacts on our climate. The New Willamette River Crossing between Lake Oswego and Oak Grove/Milwaukie will provide just that but it is in jeopardy. The project planning committee will vote this Friday, Oct. 25th on whether or not to continue the study for the New Willamette Crossing or kill it altogether. Your signature and testimony are needed today to keep the New Crossing alive.”
Today we received photos of yard signs from the person behind the new website. One sign complains of a view that would be changed. The other falsely claims that the bridge would included buses (there will be no transit of any kind on the bridge):
Willamette River Crossing Coalition is urging people to sign the petition, leave comments/testimony, share it with friends, and consider attending the hearing on Friday. They also encourage anyone who cares about this project to email Policy Committee members
The Policy Committee meets on Friday from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Clackamas County Development Services Building (Room 115, 150 Beavercreek Road, in Oregon City).
– WillametteRiverCrossingCoalition.com.
— Jonathan Maus: (503) 706-8804, @jonathan_maus on Twitter and jonathan@bikeportland.org
— Get our headlines delivered to your inbox.
— Support this independent community media outlet with a one-time contribution or monthly subscription.