As a longtime resident of Clark County it was very disheartening to again see the tired confrontational letter on Feb. 3 from John Ley: “Oregon tolling is a money grab.” This is the same finger-pointing we saw with the 2013 demise of the Columbia River Crossing.
Oregon has a transportation plan for its Metro traffic. To tell them it’s a bad plan is rude and insulting, especially when coming from an outsider. Just as five years ago, it is just wrong.
If 70,000 Washington residents choose to bring their cars into Oregon daily, there is a price to pay. We have seen it daily for years. Tolling is an accepted method of financing roads in America, even 100 years ago in Vancouver. Oregonians should use that funding on any part of the Metro projects they desire. Washington cars travel all those roads. Oregon is correct in its commitment to decrease cars coming into Portland. They are committed to mass transit including light rail. That won’t change.
Washington should have a plan to work with Oregon, not against them.
Oregon is reaching out in a civil discourse, but isn’t forgetting 2013.
