Mark DiVittorio’s recent letter “A bridge too far away” (Our Readers’ Views, Dec. 16) highlights the flaw and bewildering journey of perhaps someday there will be a new Interstate 5 Bridge. We all know that when you want to fix something, or create something new, one must use the right tool for the job. Well now, over 20 years into creating a new bridge crossing it seems our leaders continue to use the wrong tool. The present tool is a platform for politicians and various interested parties to strut their stuff — tolls or no tolls, light rail or no light rail, auxiliary lane(s), bridge height, etc. — it goes on and on. As long as the development format of the past 20 years is utilized, why should we expect anything different?
This flawed development tool is akin to General Eisenhower planning the invasion of Europe by asking all of the component parts of the Army, Navy and Air Force to vote and agree on how they would best like to invade Europe. How would that have worked out?
The governors of Oregon and Washington, along with legislative leaders, need to create a tool that will work. Leadership, as we all know, comes from the top down. Our past and present tool for a new bridge is structured from the bottom up. Too many “allegedly wise” people have their fingers in the pie and every year the pie gets more and more costly.
