New Columbia River Bridge: My 2 cents, no tolls though! (Portland: hotels, tax)

[beenhereandthere]

At least on where the I5 bridge is now. That is not a good idea at all. I would be for a toll, however, only on a 3rd bridge, which would proably be cheaper than replacing the existing one and adding light rail. It would also be a bypass, wtih maybe only a few exits, like an express lane, like they have on I5 in downtown Seattle. Why not build it on the West side of Vancouver, around where the RR tracks are, and have it join Hwy 30, eventually thru the St Johns area? Just one idea of where you could bulid a new one. A toll on an replacement (like a metro council member of Portland was talking about) would only put more people going through Portland (in other words, from Seattle to south of Portland) on I205, making that bridge more clogged.
Opinions anyone? Something should have been done a long time ago and it needs to be done soon.

[EnricoV]

Why would you want to route traffic into St. Johns? That's a supremely bad idea.

Light rail? A very good idea. But Vancouver isn't willing to pay for it.

I'm not sure where they expect funding to come from, but if it's my Oregon tax dollars, I'm against it. Why should we pay so people can live in Vancouver and use Portland's resources without paying for them? I'm all for tolls. I remember days when there were tolls on all the bridges across the Columbia. Let the people who use it pay for it.

[John Shaft]

All those truckers running goods up and down the west coast on I5 should be riding bicycles instead of traffic-clogging, polluting 18-wheelers!!!

[oldtintype]

Most other cities charge tolls for bridges, particularly high traffic/commuter bridges. I don't see why it should be different here. That has nothing to do with truckers or anyone else choosing to drive, it has to do with maintaining the bridge.

[StealthRabbit]

maybe PDX should have built a north "express" MAX line, such as on I-84 so it didn't take 30 min to go 5 miles... OR / WA could have started by straightening out the delta park / Interstate Bridge curve about 1 month after opening the I-205 bridge, instead of building a bunch of new Hotels / stores smack dab in the way. It is a real treat to snake a set of CA doubles through that mess, especially on the downhill out of Vancouver on an icy night...I guess I better use a bicycle instead of a Kenworth, that'll make it easier...

[beenhereandthere]

Originally Posted by oldtintype

Most other cities charge tolls for bridges, particularly high traffic/commuter bridges. I don't see why it should be different here. That has nothing to do with truckers or anyone else choosing to drive, it has to do with maintaining the bridge.

Folks, particulary those from out of town, will just see tolls (proably more on the WA side) and go around and use 205, which adds on to that. Again, a 3rd bridge is the best option, or at least a 3rd bridge with light rail only.

[Wicked Felina]

Originally Posted by EnricoV

I remember days when there were tolls on all the bridges across the Columbia. Let the people who use it pay for it.

This is interesting. When were tolls in effect across the Columbia? Just curious...

[oldtintype]

Originally Posted by beenhereandthere

Folks, particulary those from out of town, will just see tolls (proably more on the WA side) and go around and use 205, which adds on to that. Again, a 3rd bridge is the best option, or at least a 3rd bridge with light rail only.

I don't think the average person would drive 30 minutes out of their way during rush hour to save a $2 toll. Especially with gas prices. If they could do the 205 route easily they'd probably avoid I-5 in the first place given the traffic is so bad during rush hour. People take I-5 because it's the most direct route to where they're going.

[bobmulk]

John Shaft: Are you for real? You expect truckers to ride bikes? Where did that comment come from? How would they get goods and services to market? Remember, we are a consumer driven society; whether we like it not, that's not going to change. Suggesting truckers ride bikes is one of the most supremely ridiculous ideas out there.

Let me ask you something? Do you ever shop in a store? How do you think the goods got there? Not by bike, I can guarantee you that.

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by SeeBee

This is interesting. When were tolls in effect across the Columbia? Just curious...

I pay them daily @ Cascade Locks, sometimes I drive to Hood River to save $.25, or sometimes to The Dalles to save $1.00 !