As expected, the Columbia River Crossing Project Sponsors Council made their recommendation today that the new I-5 bridge be built with 12 total lanes. Here’s more from the Portland Business Journal: “The Columbia River Crossing Project Sponsors Council…wants six lanes in each direction for the replacement bridge, which would also offer bicycle and pedestrian lanes … Read more
Mayor Adams (L) and Vancouver Mayor Royce Pollard before a CRC meeting in February 2007.(Photo © J. Maus) On Friday, the Columbia River Crossing Project Sponsors Council will meet to solidify the lane configuration of the new I-5 bridge. According to a press release sent out by the CRC project, the meeting will result in … Read more
Joe Kurmaskie, seen here at the “We are All Traffic” rally held in November 2007 after two bike fatalities.(Photo © J. Maus) Mayor Sam Adams’ support of a proposal that would authorize the construction of a new I-5 bridge that could “be built to accomodate up to 12 lanes” has sparked a new level of … Read more
Commissioner Fritz voiced many concerns before voting “no” on the proposal last night.(Image: City of Portland) At their meeting last night, Portland’s City Council gave Mayor Sam Adams authorization to vote in favor of a 12-lane Columbia River Crossing (CRC) bridge. But, according to Adams’ office, the vote does not mean the Mayor (and council) … Read more
I recently came across this image again — it’s the map that might have sealed our fate, developed by Portland city planners in 1966 in response to freeway guru Robert Moses’ vision for the city. Robert Moses’ freeway plan for the City of Portland Moses was known for saying “Cities are for traffic,” and he … Read more
Metro Council President David Bragdon.(Photo © J. Maus) Thursday at Metro, councilors are sure to get an earful when they host a public hearing on the contentious Columbia River Crossing project. The topic will be Resolution No. 09-4023, which Metro describes as: “For the Purpose of Expressing a Sense of The Council on the Number … Read more
[Editor’s note: This guest editorial was written by first-time BikePortland contributor Spencer Boomhower. Spencer testified in front of City Council during a hearing on the Columbia River Crossing held last Thursday.] Spencer Boomhower I’m sitting at a table with a microphone sticking in my face, and a little digital counter telling me how much time … Read more
(Photos © J. Maus) Last Friday, I had the pleasure to host Rex Burkholder here at BikePortland.org Headquarters. We often cross paths at events and parties, and I work with him as a source on stories now and again, but it’s rare that we get the chance to talk uninterrupted for over an hour.
Pretty tight, but it’s better than riding on the highway — isn’t it?(Photo © J. Maus) Anyone who has attempted to ride across the Interstate 5 bridge over the Columbia River between Oregon and Washington knows that it’s not for the faint of heart. The bikeway/sidewalk is barely wider than a cargo trailer and there’s … Read more
Transportation activist, streetcar advocate, former City Commissioner candidate and blogger Chris Smith was at an event last night where U.S. Congressman Earl Blumenauer had some choice words about the Columbia River Crossing project. Here’s an excerpt from Smith’s report: Blumenauer said the the Columbia River Crossing was a metaphor for the lack of consensus for … Read more
[This article was written by Tony Fuentes. Fuentes is vice-chair of the Concordia Neighborhood Association, an avid outdoorsman, a father of two, and a small business owner. He is frequently called upon by city leaders and was a member of Commissioner Sam Adams’ Safe, Sound and Green Stakeholder Committee. Fuentes has a Masters degree in … Read more
[Transportation activist and blogger Chris Smith questionsthe Crossing at a panel discussion on 1/4/07.] Last night at my neighborhood meeting I heard two strange presentations. They both had to do with billion dollar mega-projects that are intended to increase capacity on Interstate 5 and thereby decrease congestion. As I listened I couldn’t help but feel … Read more