
As discussions about the future of the Interstate 5 Bridge replacement continue, Clark County resident and automotive expert Kirk VanGelder argues that autonomous vehicles will offer better service for taxpayers than a costly light rail extension. With fully driverless technology expected to arrive in the early 2030s, many are rethinking how they’d like to travel. What’s your pick?
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An alternative to light rail
Kirk VanGelder, a local expert in automotive technology, believes autonomous vehicles will make light rail obsolete and should be the focus of future transit investments.
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- Opinion: Is a state income tax coming, and the latest on the I-5 Bridge projectRep. John Ley shares a legislative update on a proposed state income tax, the I-5 Bridge project, the Brockmann Campus and House Bill 2605.
- Board authorizes C-TRAN to sign off on Interstate Bridge Replacement Program’s SEISThe C-TRAN Board approved the Final SEIS for the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program, with Camas and Washougal opposing the vote over light rail cost concerns.
- C-TRAN ridership grows for fourth consecutive yearC-TRAN ridership topped 5 million trips in 2025, marking the fourth straight year of growth.
- Opinion: ‘If they want light rail, they should be the ones who pay for it’Clark County Today Editor Ken Vance argues that supporters of light rail tied to the I-5 Bridge replacement should bear the local cost of operating and maintaining the system through a narrowly drawn sub-district.






