I-5 Bridge Replacement - Formerly Columbia River Crossing | Proposed

[CouvScott]

Wednesday, April 18, 2007
TOM KOENNINGER editor emeritus of The Columbian

Some 20 progressive cities around the nation, including Portland, either enjoy light rail or are lining up to approve it.

Why is Clark County - badgered by a minority with the mind-set of an ostrich - afraid to do either?

With links to Portland's MAX (Metropolitan Area Express) lines literally welcoming us at two points on the south shore of the Columbia River, the opportune, less-costly moment is here.

True, light rail is an option for the new Columbia River bridge, along with the idea of retaining the existing Interstate 5 bridge and building a new bridge. According to one proposal, the existing bridge would handle northbound traffic. The new bridge would accommodate southbound vehicles and high-capacity transit, either light rail or bus rapid transit.

The light rail versus bus decision could come at the end of 2007. Bridge construction might start in 2009. Light rail could cross the Interstate 5 bridge to Vancouver, and extend across the I-205 Bridge from Portland International Airport.

Critics fuss over the high cost of light rail, and quickly point out it was defeated by Clark County voters in 1995, TWELVE years ago in a different era.

It is expensive, no question, and fares pay only about 25 percent of operating costs. But it does move people - safely and efficiently on relatively pollution-free trains.

Portland was connected by light-rail service to Gresham in 1986, and MAX now operates on 44 miles of track with 64 stations. Businesses opening near those stations add another plus factor.

Last year, more than 1 million people rode the Airport MAX, according to Tri-Met (Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon), operators of the system. The Eastside MAX system has carried 199 million passengers in 19 years, and Westside MAX has hauled 62 million since completion in 1998.


Progress elsewhere

While Clark County frets over light rail, other areas move ahead in the 21st century.

The Green Line MAX, expected to open in 2009, will connect Portland south to Clackamas County, and begin with 46,000 riders per day. In a separate project, Washington County Commuter Rail, using existing, upgraded railroad freight train tracks, will serve Washington Square, Tigard, Tualatin and Wilsonville beginning next year. The 14.7-mile line will connect to MAX in Beaverton. It is described as one of the first suburban-to-suburban rail commuter lines in the country.

Meanwhile, Tacoma is welcoming news that "Sound Transit has agreed to extend light rail to the Tacoma Dome if voters approve a nearly $18 billion road and construction plan" in November, according to an Associated Press story. Agreement to extend the line to the city from Fife, 3.5 miles north, came when Sound Transit revised its 20-year estimate of federal grants. Some light-rail sections south of Seattle should be open by 2009.

Editorially, the Tacoma News Tribune newspaper said, "This golden spike would vastly increase the value of light rail to Pierce County," in connecting to points north, including Sea-Tac Airport, Seattle and the University of Washington.

Not everyone gives light rail the bum's rush in Clark County. At least two leaders are supportive of this form of mass transit.

Other than driving, light rail is one of the best ways for people to get across the river, declared Vancouver Mayor Royce Pollard on Jan. 23 in his state of the city speech.

"I've said it before. ? Vancouver and Clark County residents have the cheapest buy-in to one of the most successful light-rail systems in the world, the MAX system. There is over $5 billion invested in light rail across the river. We can tap into that system at a very minimal cost. We'd be foolish not to," he said.

State Sen. Craig Pridemore is another supporter. Pridemore said he's heard people talk of bringing light rail here in 20 years. "We should at least start planning for it and setting aside right of way now. If we wait 20 years, we'll never be able to afford it."

Both leaders are on the right track. More people with vision need to get aboard. Today.