Comments on: Gluesenkamp Perez urges IBR Program to limit costs to drivers, prioritize traffic reduction in final project design

By: Margaret

Margaret — Thu, 19 Sep 2024 00:24:22 +0000

In reply to John Jenkins. If she were on our side, she would honor our votes against light rail and tolls, like former Congresswomen Jaime Herrera-Beutler did. Light rail is not required on a replacement bridge. Better alternatives to reduce congestion include building a third or even fourth bridge, without light rail.

By: John Ley

John Ley — Wed, 18 Sep 2024 21:01:07 +0000

In reply to Jared.

Well said, Jared.

The reason Portland has the nation’s 8th worse traffic congestion, is Portland elected leaders have refused to build more vehicle capacity.

It’s been over 40 years since a new freeway and transportation corridor has been built.

Regional population has doubled. With no new vehicle capacity, of course traffic congestion has become a nightmare.

By: Jared

Jared — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 21:46:33 +0000

I wish common sense would be more common… We need at least 5 lanes in each direction. Change the onramp location to Jantzen Beach to at least 0.5 miles away from bridge entrance. Far Right lane Northbound becomes exit to highway 14, Next Far right line becomes SR500 exit lane, and then 3 lanes continue northbound to Salmon Creek 1-205 merge.
Portland MUST fix the Rose Quarter pinch and get that to at least 4 lanes in each direction. It will take a transition to a stacked highway from Freemont to I-84 merge, and some major changes to SE Portland areas around the freeways.
It is probably too late in the area development to put another bridge with a thruway bypass that misses Portland Metro to the east or west. America seems to have lost its taste for massive improvements of infrastructure, that will benefit future generations.

By: John Watson

John Watson — Sat, 14 Sep 2024 22:14:20 +0000

Marie is doing a great job, this is far more than any past representative have done to help with the funding. We need a new bridge, since this is a major transportation route from Canada to Mexico for Interstate Commerce. We don’t need for it to collapse and create another disaster. She is working hard to find a way to keep tolls out of the funding. Taxes are part of a responsible society, except far too many do everything to avoid paying anything or the bare minimum.

By: John Jenkins

John Jenkins — Sat, 14 Sep 2024 04:00:27 +0000

It’s game time and she and her handlers know it. So, the spin masters tell her to release something that sounds like she is ‘on your side’. It’s that simple. Keeping her in office and in Congress is ‘super’ important to others outside our region. American politics is at its lowest point ever in America’s history. By today’s standards…..Bill Clinton had morals.

By: Anne ONeill

Anne ONeill — Fri, 13 Sep 2024 19:51:10 +0000

In reply to Margaret. Marie said she is fighting for grant money so Clark County can taxed and tolled the bulk of $2 Billion for light rail to " get folks home faster so they can coach their kid’s Little League team." Seriously?

By: Margaret

Margaret — Fri, 13 Sep 2024 07:35:11 +0000

The Perez website states, "Supporting Critical Infrastructure," " She (Rep. Perez) worked to secure $600 million in funding needed to replace the 100-year-old I-5 bridge. This financial support is a down payment and essential to repair the bridge and avoid the need for tolls." Since then, more federal dollars have been earmarked for the I-5 bridge replacement, yet not enough to "avoid the need for tolls". Ever increasing tolls, raised as often as the unelected toll commission subcommittee decides, have always been a major funding element for the bridge, per the IBR website, and many news reports about tolling. It has also been noted by a former Oregon governor that adequate tolls are needed to persuade people out of vehicles, onto public transit instead. The bi-state tolling subcommittee will decide toll rates and policies. While congressional representatives may be able to avoid tolls somehow, ordinary residents, truckers, and travellers who cross a costly I-5 bridge replacement will not be able to avoid tolls, or limit tolls. What limits are there on tolls in WA state? Tolls on the 520 bridge from the east side to Seattle increased significantly in 2023, and again in 2024. The pay by mail toll for a car 1-way is $6.90 from 7-10 AM and 3PM-7PM weekdays, $13.80 round trip The pay by mail rate for 6-axle trucks is $20.70 one-way for those hours, $41.40 roundtrip To avoid tolls, gold plated fixed "light" rail and double decker buses that could topple when winds blow over the Columbia River and other unnecessary extravagant elements should be avoided. Clark County voters have rejected light rail and tolls at the ballot box repeatedly. This Op-ed points out excess expenditures the IBR consultants and too many elected officials continue to push to benefit a very few, no matter the cost.: Elected officials should protect Southwest Washington taxpayers