A toll needs to be placed on I-5 and I-205 South (Portland: live, light rail)

[ormari]

Originally Posted by Nell Plotts

The bridge across the Columbia at I-5 has been tolled twice in the past to pay for bridge construction. When the bridge construction bonds were retired so were the toll boths. This wouldn't be a new practice. It doesn't matter in which direction the toll is collected so long as both bridges are tolled (to prevent run-arounds) the impact will be the same.

I was aware that it had been tolled once (the more recent toll), but didn't know of the history of the first time. I stand by my statement that the law would have to be crafted carefully, or this time the tolls might stick. Third time's a charm? The political environment is far different than it was when the tolls were last on I-5.

If the toll is small enough, would people really make the run around? If the toll were equivalent to 1/2 gal. gas, wouldn't that negate the advantage by the time wear and tear is added in?

And tolling both bridges sounds an awful lot like making one set of commuters pay for the road used by another set of commuters...

[urbanlife78]

Originally Posted by Nell Plotts

The bridge across the Columbia at I-5 has been tolled twice in the past to pay for bridge construction. When the bridge construction bonds were retired so were the toll boths. This wouldn't be a new practice. It doesn't matter in which direction the toll is collected so long as both bridges are tolled (to prevent run-arounds) the impact will be the same.

This day and age, we don't even need toll booths to have a toll that slows traffic down. I would be for tolls on both bridges to help upgrade them, but I would want it to also include a light rail bridge and a big park and ride garage in Vancouver to help encourage commuters to use train. We could even have a Vancouver train that has limited stops through Portland to help speed up the commute if need be.

[Nell Plotts]

Originally Posted by urbanlife78

This day and age, we don't even need toll booths to have a toll that slows traffic down. I would be for tolls on both bridges to help upgrade them, but I would want it to also include a light rail bridge and a big park and ride garage in Vancouver to help encourage commuters to use train. We could even have a Vancouver train that has limited stops through Portland to help speed up the commute if need be.

Ultimately the only way to relieve congestion on I-5 through Portland is to have more commuters travel by light rail. Clark County residents are vehemently against this - even opposing providing for light rail on the I-205 bridge so, I guess, they will have to live with the backups.

I think light rail and a big park and ride in Vancouver would be fantastic.

[sorupaa]

what would be better is build a new bridge with the same amount of car lanes but have two lanes for busses. have express busses that take ten minutes

[urbanlife78]

Originally Posted by drum bro

what would be better is build a new bridge with the same amount of car lanes but have two lanes for busses. have express busses that take ten minutes

If you are gonna build a lane for buses only, then you might as well build light rail for a similar cost.

[sorupaa]

have lightrail apart of the new bridge then have it conect to the yellow line and skip five stops. that would work i think

just build it to the island if vancouver doesnt want it. it would be quicker then it is now or if the yellow line went to vancouver.

[Nell Plotts]

Busses already run from Vancouver to downtown Portland.

[sorupaa]

Originally Posted by Nell Plotts

Busses already run from Vancouver to downtown Portland.

hippie busses maybe

[Nell Plotts]

No, they are commuter busses.

[sorupaa]

i fell sorry for people in vancouver, ive road the max/ bus there a couple times and it takes forever. vancouver is huge and the bus that goes to the max is full usually.

never seen a bus that goes to downtown portland from vancouver though