There’s much discussion about another bridge to connect Vancouver and Portland. Any discussion of a new bridge not including the Interstate 5 Bridge is not a plan that will resolve the gridlock. Most people commuting from Vancouver are going to downtown Portland or to the Beaverton-Hillsboro, Ore., area, and that means more traffic on Interstate 5.
In fact, even at nonrush hour times, one can expect delays on the I-5 Bridge between the two cities. Everyone knows the I-5 Bridge needs widening, but simply adding lanes will be insufficient to handle the volume. That’s why any plan needs to keep the pedestrian bridge and add light rail.
I was shocked to see one politician say that adding more lanes would be enough. All you need to do to squash that idea is to visit Los Angeles or the Washington, D.C., area (where I come from) to see that adding more lanes will never be enough to handle the volume. For the economic vitality of the region, light rail, in addition to buses, must be part of the equation to connect the two cities. The gridlock on I-5 every day does not go unnoticed by those who have to endure the commute.
Improving the I-5 Bridge must be a part of any equation to add a bridge. Failing to act now will only make the project more expensive later.
