The proposed light rail extension into Vancouver has sparked a heated debate, with questions arising about Washington taxpayers’ responsibility for funding 45% of the annual operating and maintenance costs.
Some argue this cost-sharing is a fair contribution to an infrastructure project that promises regional benefits. Others contend that it places an undue financial burden on Washington residents for a project driven largely by Oregon’s transit needs.
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Opinion: TriMet should receive the Golden Fleece Award
John Ley critiques TriMet's funding demands for the IBR, calling it a taxpayer fleecing.
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Also read:
- 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. - Opinion: IBR falsely blaming inflation
Joe Cortright argues that inflation explains only a small portion of the IBR project’s cost increases and that rising consultant and staff expenses are the primary drivers. - Letter: The Interstate Bridge Replacement Program’s $141 million bribe can be better spent on sandwich steel-concrete tubes
Bob Ortblad argues that an immersed tunnel using sandwich steel-concrete tubes would be a more cost-effective alternative to the current Interstate Bridge Replacement Program design. - A sub-district vote could be a way to go to pay O&M costs associated with light rail
Clark County Council members heard details on how a voter-approved C-TRAN sub-district could be created to fund long-term operations and maintenance costs for light rail tied to a new Interstate Bridge. - Letter: British Columbia’s new immersed tunnel can solve Interstate Bridge Replacement Program’s $17.7 billion problem
Bob Ortblad argues that an immersed tunnel similar to a project underway in British Columbia could significantly reduce costs and impacts associated with the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program.
Light rail is another tax payer hole, watched it run the other day and it was empty!!! That means no one is helping to pay for the cost to build and run this rail!!! Stop the nonsense!!