News UPDATE 2:20 pm: While Southwest Washington Republicans lobby against the Columbia River Crossing, Democrats unveiled a new $9.8 billion transportation bill unveiled today that contains $450 million for the CRC, The Columbian reports.The package includes a 10 cent gas tax increase, a new annual car tab fee based on 0.7 percent of a vehicle's value, and more than $3 billion in new bonds to raise the ...   More

News UPDATE: Gov. Inslee's office confirmed at 1 pm that Peterson will be the next WSDOT secretary.“We need an innovative approach to fixing a transportation network that is outdated and hampering our economic growth,” Inslee says in a statement. “Lynn has the experience, creativity and leadership skills to help Washington build a transportation system for the 21st century. And we’ll do that in ...   More

News The open rebellion against the Columbia River Crossing project in Washington continues.Even as Oregon legislators have put $450 million for the project on the fast track, Washington Senate Transportation Committee Co-Chair Sen. Curtis King (R-Yakima), is calling for a major overhaul of the $3.5 billion project—including chucking light rail.In a Jan. 31 letter to Gov. Jay Inslee obtained by WW, King, ...   More

News Vancouver light rail foes haven’t given up the fight to compel the city’s government from spending any resources on extending Portland’s MAX line to Vancouver’s downtown.Seventy five plaintiffs filed suit against Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey on Monday, challenging a state law that required Kimsey to invalidate duplicate signatures.“Six hundred and eight Vancouver voters who are qualified, ...   More

News Lawmakers are prepare for today's 3 pm public hearing on the proposed $3.5 billion Columbia River Crossing project, which is expected to last until 9 pm as partisans on both sides make their cases.Meanwhile, here's a reminder that not every bill carries the same heft.Three lawmakers, Rep. Bill Kennemer (R-Oregon City); Sens. Chuck Thomsen (R-Hood River) and Alan Olsen (R-Sandy), have proposed House ...   More

News Not to be outdone by Clackamas County commissioners, Clark County leaders put forward their own nearly identical anti-Columbia River Crossing resolution today.Sponsored by newly-elected Commissioner David Madore—who made his opposition to the $3.5 billion highway, Interstate 5 bridge and light rail project nearly his sole campaign issue—it's set for a vote on Tuesday.The resolution has likely got ...   More

News The Columbia River Crossing bridge will be 116 feet high. And despite signs that may not be OK with local Coast Guard officials, the White House may be ready to overrule them.The embattled project submitted a bridge permit, at the urging of federal authorities, to the Coast Guard—which is tasked with making sure bridges won’t impede river traffic—for its approval on Jan. 30. The $3.5 billion ...   More

News Today four members of Congress, Reps. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-Wash.), Doc Hastings (R-Wash.), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) and Raul Labrador (R-Idaho) wrote to the Coast Guard's top officer in the Northwest today asking for further evaluation of the potential economic impact of the proposed $3.5 billion Columbia River Crossing Project. It's worth noting that all four members are Republicans, who ...   More

News After more than a decade and $160 million spent on planners, consultants and lobbyists, the proposed $3.5 billion Columbia River Crossing’s moment has finally arrived.  When lawmakers c   More