For most of the 2011 legislative session, lawmakers have
avoided debating the massive Columbia River Crossing, a $3.6 billion
proposal to build a new bridge and widen Interstate 5 at the
Oregon-Washington border. Backers of the project, known as the CRC,
haven’t even been able to muster support for a meaningless resolution
that calls on Congress to send Oregon and Washington the federal money
the states need to build the bridge.
Meanwhile, legislators who have raised serious doubts about the project have won a big, but quiet, victory.
A Joint Ways and
Means subcommittee last week approved a “budget note” that ratchets up
the Oregon Department of Transportation’s accountability on the
controversial CRC. The budget note for the first time requires ODOT to
make regular reports to legislators about the status of the CRC project.
ODOT, the note says,
“shall include updated information on cost estimates, proposed
alternatives, right-of-way procurement schedule, financing plans for the
CRC project including initial and updated information regarding
projected traffic volumes, fuel/gas rate assumptions, toll rates, cost
of toll collections,” and other information.
Even though
legislators have yet to approve a dime specifically for the project,
ODOT and its Washington counterpart have spent $126 million to date on
planning. Gov. John Kitzhaber, who backs the CRC, asked legislative
leaders May 3 to increase their oversight of the project.
“A project this big has to have independent review from the Legislature,” says Rep. Jefferson Smith (D-Portland), a CRC critic.
As WW reported
last week, the state’s own reports show the CRC won’t fix most of the
problems that backers cite to justify the project (see “A Bridge Too
False,” WW, June 1, 2011).
One
big problem: There are a lot fewer cars using the current I-5 bridge
than what ODOT predicted. That means the tolls ODOT hopes to collect
from the new bridge may not cover payments on bonds needed to pay for
the project. The budget note demands “an independent investment grade
analysis of the project.”
The CRC project needs
Oregon and Washington to approve $450 million each. Lawmakers say that
won’t happen in Salem this year—and probably not until a lot of
questions get answered. “We would all acknowledge there are traffic
problems,” says Rep. Katie Eyre Brewer (R-Hillsboro). “But the
Legislature clearly has not approved the CRC in its current form.”
You should note for the record it is only Oregon's DOT that is having trouble in accountting in for funds, as Washington has aready rwecieved $53 million in Federal funds for this project and Oregon &0. why? you ask. It's because Oregon has FAILED to fix thier failure in thier portion of the I-5 freeway __> BEFORE THEY CAN RECIEVE ANY FEDERAL FUNDS AT ALL,<___ SSSSO NONE FOR YOU PORTLAND, Tell your DOT to get thier collective do nothing IDIOTS to work, and fix YOUR FAILURES.
Portland doesn't really care if/want the bridge to get built. Its you fuckers up in Washington that will be using it anyway.
vantuckians can build their own effing bridge. portland and oregon do not need this boondoggle of a bridge.
I think the comment below being allowed to be a part of your newspaper obviates the need for comment moderation. Comments should illuminate and challenge. This one reminds me of an overused porta-pottie at a drunken street dance.