The Columbia River Crossing project seeks to build a new bridge over the Columbia river between Oregon and Washington at Interstate 5.
For more information, read my coverage of this topic in the articles below.
[For links to more local media coverage of this issue, click here.]
BTA leader Scott Bricker (shown here at an event last week) has joined other groups in calling on City Council to re-think the CRC project.(Photo © J. Maus) As expected, the BTA and a coalition of environmental groups have stepped up their oppositional stance to the Columbia River Crossing project. They have just issued a … Read more
[Updated 7/7, 12:00ppm: Read this story for an update.] With just a few days before the Portland City Council takes an important vote on the Columbia River Crossing (CRC) project, the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) (along with a growing coalition of organizations) is stepping up its drumbeat of concern. The BTA has struggled to find … Read more
“…he’s “seriously considering” not supporting the resolution at all.”–from a Portland Mercury story about Commissioner Dan Saltzman’s position on the CRC project. A week from today (July 9th), Portland City Council will take an important vote on the Columbia River Crossing project. On June 24th, in advance of a meeting of the CRC Task Force, … Read more
Artists rendering of new I-5 bridge.(Graphic: CRC) Portland City Council has added their voice to the list of agencies and organizations that want the replacement bridge and light rail option to receive further study in the $4.2 billion Columbia River Crossing project. Their unanimous support comes in the form of a letter to the Co-Chairs … Read more
Rendering from PBAC memo: “Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee Recommended Pathway on West Side of West Replacement Bridge (Looking North)”
“In my view, the Columbia River Crossing (CRC) debate is less about building a bridge and more about debating a right-sized project that is multi-modal, that won’t bankrupt our transportation funds, and won’t promote sprawl by increasing auto use. In addition, for cyclists, it’s about creating a world-class bicycle and pedestrian facility.” That’s the opening … Read more
“We will urge City Council not to write a blank check for a project that doesn’t meet the criteria we believe any new bridge should meet.”–Planning Commission member Catherine Ciarlo The nine-member Portland Planning Commission met last night to draw up their recommendations to Portland City Council on the $4.2 billion Columbia River Crossing project. … Read more
The Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) has just issued a press release stating their latest position on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) of the Columbia River Crossing project. In the statement, the BTA says that “after extensive internal discussions and conversations with supporters and opponents” of the project, they feel that a new bridge is … Read more
[NOTE: Read the comments below this article for thoughts and perspectives from readers that attended the hearing.] The Metro Council faces a packed room for an important hearing on the CRC project.(Photos © J. Maus) A packed crowd has assembled at Metro Headquarters in northeast Portland for a public hearing on the Columbia River Crossing … Read more
Poster on display at the recent CRC public hearing in Portland.Click to enlarge(Photo © J. Maus)
Denied.Download letter (945k, PDF) A request by a coalition of 13 advocacy groups that sought an extension to the comment period on the Draft Environment Impact Statement of the Columbia River Crossing project has been denied. In a letter (download PDF here) from the U.S. Department of Transportation, to Tom Buechele of the Pacific Environmental … Read more
OPB’s Think Out Loud show is discussing the Columbia River Crossing project this morning (9-10am). They’ll have guest experts from all perspectives on the controversial project and they’ll also take questions from callers and commenters on their website. You can listen live, wait for the re-broadcast tonight at 9:00pm, or check the show website for … Read more