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March 29, 2024

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Letter: Finance bridge first

The Columbian
Published: August 20, 2013, 5:00pm

A group of 80 business leaders and Columbia River Crossing supporters have asked both Oregon and Washington governors to look again at the Interstate 5 Bridge. I commend them for trying to get something done but unfortunately it sounds like lessons from the first go-round are being ignored.

Light rail is needed at some point in the future but not now. The projected tolls each way were unaffordable. The two components that were objectionable to the majority of citizens are still in the new plan.

Because of light rail the bridge height will still be an issue. Light rail over Interstate 205 should be considered. A better plan for financing needs to be found with lower affordable tolls. The Oregon side (Rose Quarter and entrance to Interstate 84) needs to be addressed before a meaningful transportation solution to I-5 can be achieved.

Keep up the work on a new bridge, as it is very much needed, but do not just go back with the problems that made it fail in the first place. The feds and Oregon need to understand the reason for bridge first, light rail second.

Lynn Brown

Vancouver

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