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Thursday, April 9, 2009

Transportation US Rep Criticizes 12-Lane CRC Plan

Posted by Sarah Mirk on Thu, Apr 9, 2009 at 11:12 AM

Big news in the world of the Portland-Vancouver $4.2 billion bridge: a U.S. Representative has joined the chorus of voices criticizing the financing plan for the 12 lane bridge.

"I didn't invent mathematics, but I try to listen to it. And if the numbers aren't there, the numbers aren't there," said Representative Brian Baird (D-Vancouver) Tuesday in a highly critical article on the front page of the Clark County Columbian. Baird says the federal government will likely only contribute $200-300 million to the Columbia River Crossing Project — the CRC staff's financing plan banked on $400 to $600 million. Baird also believes that the planned bridge tolls ($1-$2) won't be high enough to cover the cost of construction. I can't find the article on the Columbian's completely inscrutable website but luckily someone emailed me a pdf of the front page for your reading pleasure.

0801/1239299489-baird.jpg

Rep. Brian Baird: Loves America, Questions the Bridge.

The Columbian staff followed up with an editorial Wednesday morning, quoting Baird again at length:

"The (bridge planners') attitude is first, 'What do we want to build?' and then, 'How do we pay for it?'" He believes that process should be reversed: Count your money before choosing the color of the Rolls Royce's upholstery. You might find out you can't afford a Rolls.

It's funny to hear that analogy coming from a US Representative because local economist Joe Cortright uttered an eerily similar comparison at Sunday's grassroots rally against the 12 lane bridge: "Politicians' discussion over whether this should be 10 lanes or 12 lanes sounds like a couple of middle school boys arguing over what color Lamborghini they want. They're very opinionated but they don't have the money to afford any of them."

Baird adds a critical federal perspective to a project some Oregon state reps spoke out against on Sunday. Democratic reps Nick Kahl, Jules Kopel Bailey and Jefferson Smith are all on record questioning the 12-lane option's financing plan. "Let's make sure we don't appropriate any money in Salem for this 12-lane boondoggle," said Kahl on Sunday.

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