LRT part of Ore.-Wash. bridge plan
Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-ChiefThe governors of Oregon and Washington Monday prepared to announce general agreement on a new bridge spanning the Columbia River over Interstate 5 that will include room for light rail transit, as well as bicycle and pedestrian capacity, as well as increased highway capacity.
If built, the new bridge would extend Portland’s MAX LRT service across the state line, establishing a second U.S. light rail system spanning two states. St. Louis’ MetroLink light rail service spans the Mississippi River, linking Missouri with Illinois.
The Columbia River Crossing project would replace the existing twin three-lane drawbridge with a ten-lane crossing over the Columbia River. Anti-rail advocates in Vancouver, Wash., have resisted LRT’s inclusion, with Portland, Ore., officials equally adamant that LRT be part of any bridge package.
The project currently is estimated to cost $3.5 billion, with roughly $600 million attributable to LRT construction.
Still undecided is the type of bridge to be constructed; a composite-desk truss bridge, a cable-stay bridge, or a tied-arch bridge. Also still at issue is the possibility of toll fees on the new bridge, which critics say would put an unfair financial burden on commuters and could cause more traffic on the nearby Glenn Jackson I-205 bridge.
