Bob Ortblad appeals to members of the Vancouver City Council not to endorse the LPA on July 11
Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are those of the author alone and do not reflect the editorial position of ClarkCountyToday.com
Vancouver City Council:
On July 11, please do not endorse the Interstate Bridge Replacement team’s “Modified Locally Preferred Alternative” (LPA). It will be downtown Vancouver’s concrete death shroud.
The LPA will create an Embarcadero Freeway/Alaskan Way Viaduct through the heart of Vancouver. Like the infamous Cross Bronx Expressway, the LPA will divide the city with noise, pollution, and cause urban decay. The LPA will be the steepest (4 percent) and most dangerous of all interstate bridges. The LPA’s 100-foot climb will be extremely difficult for cyclists and walkers.
The Columbia River at Vancouver is 27 feet deep with 200 feet of soft river bottom. An immersed tunnel is a better solution; safer, less grade, less cost, less environmental impact, and is faster to permit and build with local labor.
Bob Ortblad MSCE, MBA
Seattle
@BOrtblad see Twitter for more details
Also read:
- Opinion: The unpreferred and unaffordable Interstate Bridge replacement proposal
Rep. John Ley argues that the Interstate Bridge Replacement proposal is unpreferred, unaffordable, and failing to address congestion, cost transparency, and community concerns. - POLL: If project costs continue to rise, what should lawmakers do with the I-5 Bridge replacement plan?
This poll asks readers what lawmakers should do with the I-5 Bridge replacement plan as costs rise and key decisions remain unresolved. - Opinion: IBR still holding and lying about coming billions in cost overruns
Joe Cortright argues that Interstate Bridge Replacement officials are deliberately delaying the release of an updated cost estimate that he says could push the project toward $10 billion. - Opinion: Another problem with strike pay from the UI fund – Potential double-dipping, overpayments
Elizabeth New (Hovde) argues that Washington’s new strike pay law risks overpayments and double-dipping unless workers are clearly warned at the point of applying for unemployment benefits. - Letter: A call for competent Interstate Bridge project management
Rick Vermeers argues that unchecked scope, rising costs, and missed timelines threaten the survival of the Interstate Bridge Replacement project unless light rail is removed.
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