With all the persistent chatter these days of “functionally obsolete” and collapsing bridges from one end of the I-5 corridor to the other, you’d think our economy and safety was destined for a final dunking. Instead, here’s what’s been taking a dunking for years — our intelligence, our democratic voice and our wallets.
The I-5 Columbia River Crossing bridge could and should have been replaced years ago for all the taxpayers’ millions wasted, yet here we sit on both sides of the Columbia River without a single new pier in place while we blame both those for and those against light rail. It’s apparent to each faction that the Columbia River needs a new bridge. Also, many believe we eventually need a third bridge, despite our southern neighbor’s willful opposition.
Right now, light rail in Clark County is fiscally questionable and lacking reasonable merit, although a new bridge could be built affordably and a third bridge with light rail deemed viable only when actually warranted.
Ask our president, Congress and our governors for a bridge that we can pay for — one without light rail so that we may avert further economic hardship and prevent the CRC project from collapsing in the “River of Discontent.”
