OREGON CITY, Ore. (AP) — Voters in Clackamas County, Ore., south of Portland appear to be approving a ballot measure that’s considered to be anti-light rail.
The Oregonian reported (http://is.gd/ZOPk1a) that early returns Tuesday night showed 60 percent of voters approving Measure 3-401.
The measure would require countywide voter approval before officials could spend money to finance, design, construct or operate any rail lines in the county. Generally, opponents of the Portland-Milwaukie light rail extension have supported the measure, and light rail supporters have opposed it.
It’s unclear whether the measure would affect the Orange Line, the Portland-to-Milwaukie project that’s already under construction.
The newspaper says county commissioners have obtained a private loan from Bank of America to pay TriMet a $19.9 million tab for the $1.5 billion project.
