Senate Bill 5090 would have to pass the state House, which has a Democratic majority, and get the signature of Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee, who has said he supports light rail on the CRC.
As proposed, the $3.5 billion CRC project would replace the Interstate 5 Bridge over the Columbia River, rebuild freeway interchanges and extend a light rail line from Portland into Vancouver. The CRC plans call for Washington and Oregon to chip in $450 million each. Project leaders hope both states’ legislatures commit to at least some of that money this year.
Benton and Rivers are among a group of Republican lawmakers from Southwest Washington who have called for a redesign of the CRC that excludes light rail.
In a statement they signed in November, Benton and Rivers acknowledged that a redesign of the CRC would take more time, but “we know (a bridge replacement) cannot succeed without our support … . Once there is a project alternative that has the support of Clark County citizens, we will put all of our resources into making the bridge project a reality.”
Benton, who did not return a call on Wednesday, has said in the past that he could discuss doling out state money for the CRC “if the light rail component comes off.”
Rivers disagreed that removing light rail would create that lengthy of a delay on the project.
“I’m not convinced that it would be that significant,” she said. Removing light rail is “the financially sound thing to do and doesn’t place a burden on our children for generations to come,” she added.
Oregon commission advances tolling
Also on Wednesday, the Oregon Transportation Commission moved eventual tolling on Interstate 5 one step closer to reality. The commission authorized the CRC as a “tollway project.”
The action is similar to a move taken last year by the Washington Legislature, which authorized using tolls on I-5 to help pay for the project, said CRC spokeswoman Mandy Putney. Last year’s legislation also prohibited tolling on the nearby Interstate 205 bridge, but that doesn’t necessarily prohibit Oregon lawmakers from tolling the bridge.
Wednesday’s vote did not establish the actual rates drivers would pay to cross the Columbia River. That task falls to both states’ transportation commissions, who have indicated they will work jointly to set toll rates.
The CRC is currently scheduled to begin construction in late 2014. Project leaders have said tolling could begin as soon as 2015.
