Quote:
Originally Posted by PhillyPDX
The bridge in its current state would collapse in a major seismic event, there is much more to the bridge's purpose than at-best a few thousand people commuting to where a single rail line goes. Trucks, etc.
|
A. The goal should be to get more than an "at-best a few thousand people" commuting; revitalizing the region's center--i.e., downtown Portland--is of paramount importance given how essential agglomeration is to efficient economics
B. Getting trucks off the road and putting freight on rails should
also be a priority. We need to start viewing transportation holistically, and given the PNW's geography, it's an environment well-suited to being much more rail-based than it currently is.
Again I say, if we're actually serious about things like fiscal responsibility, efficient transportation networks, averting climate change, equity, etc., any prolongation of the current paradigm should be anathema to us.