A group of Columbia River Crossing opponents plan to head to Salem, Ore., next week to rally against funding for the $3.5 billion megaproject. They’ve organized a “walk and talk” to urge state lawmakers to rethink the proposed Interstate 5 Bridge replacement.
Citizen activists with the Economic Transportation Alliance and Third Bridge Now say they plan to contact elected officials’ offices between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 15. The group will gather at the Oregon State Capitol, 900 Court St. N.E. in Salem.
They’ll argue against a project they say has too many questions and too many shortcomings to move forward.
CRC leaders are counting on the Oregon and Washington legislatures to come up with $450 million each to help fund the project, which would also extend light rail into Vancouver and rebuild I-5 on both sides of the Columbia River. Project leaders hope to secure that and other crucial funding this year; the CRC is scheduled to begin major construction in late 2014.