What I really think about the Columbia River Crossing project?
For the years I have attended the meetings and there are very few than I (with the exception of former local politicians?) I have been concerned about the presentations offered. Any one hear about the local high capacity transit study done by the SWRTC that justified the use of Light Rail and BRT going forward?
I was really angered about the repeated ignoring by the task force, project sponsors council and various other sub committees in how they handled and at one point, if my memory serves me right, the project sponsors council "ignored" it. I may have to go look back through my memory banks and notes, because I believe this is what happened. BUT unless I have proof, it has no merit or consequence on this project.
All I have ever wanted to see from this project is three goals"
"Deliver a project that handles the traffic flow between our communities that is: Efficient, Effective and broad enough to help us into the years we will be paying for it?"
That is what I said in 2008 to several local officials involved in the project. Now what concerns me most, is the local politicians of various stripes are again ignoring the locals. Jut brush them aside like they are dirt on the floor and get on with the project like they have no thought or feelings.
Folks, we may be paying for this bridge going into thirty years from now. I probably will be in my seventies by the time it may be even close to paying off the principal and interest on the bonds held in trust for this bridge.
I really want some thing that isn't built and smells of special interests for the past twenty years getting its way from both sides of the river. And every one crossing the bridge will have to pay until 2050+ for it?
