A few weeks ago, Mercury Blogtown posed a question to candidates about the proposed $4.2b twelve-lane bridge which some people would like built to replace the current I-5 bridge over the Columbia River. I finally have time to post my response here.

"Our region is poised to consider what to do about the Columbia River Crossing—and we’re faced with an option that costs roughly $4.2 billion dollars, and possibly doubles the size of the bridge over the Columbia River. In your opinion, does the staff-recommended option — a 10 to 12 lane bridge, plus light rail transit, tolls, and improved pedestrian and bike crossing—meet Portland’s goals and needs? What would you advocate for as the optimal plan for the crossing, and how would you ensure that Portland’s needs and goals aren’t lost in a massive regional, bi-state project?"

My answer: (the other candidates' responses are here)

In this project as with all others, my questions are:

It is premature for decision-makers in Portland to take positions on the staff-recommended option, or any other, since neither the Portland City Council nor the Portland Planning Commission has held a public hearing to review the options and their potential impact on Portland and Portlanders. Big Picture issues including global warming, international freight movement from Canada to Mexico, and Washington-Oregon commuters must be considered, and so must the local needs of folks in Bridgeton, East Columbia, Kenton, and other neighborhoods to get to and from Hayden Island. There have been many opportunities for input to the diligent committees working on this project, but none before the Portland City Council. Citizens must have opportunities to testify directly to their elected officials, before decisions are made.

Current estimates call for the citizens of Oregon to pay at least $800 million towards the cost - that's in addition to proposed tolls, and hoped-for federal money. I have not yet heard any proposal for how to carve out $800 million from our state and/or regional/local budget, at a time when schools, health care, senior services, and other transportation needs statewide and in Portland are underfunded. My campaign's core focus is on prioritizing the City's budget to fund basic services first. The Metro Council and State Legislators should also make thoughtful decisions about where the Columbia River Crossing fits into the overall plan for paying for the things we need most in Oregon.

I support the approach of the Coalition for a Livable Future - I urge evaluation of all options (including no-build) with respect to Oregon's mandate to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. According to staff analysis, all the proposals being considered, including doing nothing, result in 40% or more increased driving by 2030. It is not yet clear which bridge option - replacement or supplemental - is better for achieving the goal of a "climate smart" Columbia River Crossing that will reduce driving in the future.

I am a member of the Coalition for a Livable Future's board, so I have been following this issue closely with member organizations such as the Environmental Justice Action Group, and staff serving on the Task Force. When I heard that no hearing was planned in Portland, I testified at City Council last fall, on a minor funding contract related to the Columbia River bridge, to bring the matter to the attention of the Councilmen. I talked with the Planning Commission President and staff, urging hearings before the Planning Commission and Council. Those hearings are now planned. Public input is important not only to help choose the right bridge options, but also to promote community buy-in on such an expensive project.

Portland has the right to veto this project, and I have consistently advocated for Portlanders on all sides to be allowed to testify to their own elected and appointed decision-makers. Once again, I did not wait to be elected before taking leadership on an important issue, making positive changes for Portland. If you elect me to the Council, I will make sure Portlanders don't have to make special requests to have the opportunity to be heard.