Now that the bridge discussion is with us again, it is appropriate to add the consideration of light rail to the fray.
Last November, while sign waving for a few early morning hours at the corner of Washington and Fifth streets (where the Interstate 5 south onramp begins), I witnessed reoccurring examples of road rage that included drivers exiting their cars for fist fights that did not occur only because of the honks from other irate drivers. The estimated one mile of bumper-to-bumper traffic (if you include southbound Columbia Street as well) was an interesting comparison to the frequent buses also merging on to I-5, with their passengers comfortable and smiling in a warm bus with their cellphones, laptops, and Columbian newspapers, instead of sitting in their cars waiting their turn.
I understand why some folks do not want light rail — they might never use it, so they don’t want to pay for it. But I might never use many of the roads in the north county, and yet I am obligated to help pay for their construction and maintenance. Can I opt out of that, for the same reason that some insist that we all opt out of paying for light rail?
Louis Marteeny
Vancouver
