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 looking closely at the Columbia River Crossing (CRC) project is well-taken and examining the goal of the project is the most obvious place to start.
Rather than merely aiming to move more “trains, cars, and trucks” across the river, the goals ought to be to improve the quality of communities and health of the economy in the close surrounding areas, the region, and farther. However, building this bridge and seven interchanges would win the battle of peak-hour auto congestion but lose the larger, more significant war for an improved economy, better health, clean air, livability, and prudent investment.
