Many citizens who are aware of the CRC will say “isn’t it a done deal?” This appearance of inevitability has been a deliberate strategy of the CRC and furthered by the CRC insiders who are either light rail ideologues or those who expect significant financial gains from this project happening. However this inevitability is 100% untrue. The CRC plan becoming a reality has many obstacles and it is wobbling more every day as more citizens and politicians learn the facts and think through the negative ramifications.
Since (and before) the CRC’s plans were introduced there have been a number of alternate full plans to improve transportation over the Columbia River in the I-5 corridor. However the CRC juggernaut was able to systematically bury these plans—as none effectively aligned with the progressive transportation objectives (that is light rail). These alternate plans also had a common themes in that they advocate a third bridge and keep and retrofit the existing I-5 bridge.
The links below lead to various alternate plans and related supporting information. This information is presented to demonstrate that there exists significant professional thought and effort to better solve this transportation problem. The group that has developed this website is not promoting any particular plan at this time–however after the CRC is stopped, we intend to help refocus the citizen interest into a far more rational and practical planning environment in which special interest (behind close doors) are no longer driving the results.
Current I-5 Columbia bridge status and history
The overall point of this section is that this existing and paid for I-5 Columbia river bridge is maintainable and can effectively serve in coordination with other regional merit-based transportation plans (some concepts are listed below). Also with limited transportation resources–these dollars should be significantly committed to maintenance and for selected new projects that add significant new value. The CRC does not pass this test.
- Skagit River I-5 bridge failure
- As of March 2012, Washington has 487 bridges in it’s Seismic Retrofit Program that need seismic retrofitting.
- Bridge status mysteriously changed
- I-5 Bridge information on StopCRC.com – scroll to section called 10) Don’t fall for the fear tactics – Our current bridge is safe
- Misinformation about the current I-5 Columbia River Bridge – see section called Myth #3: The current bridge is too dangerous.
- ODOT Seismic Vulnerability of Oregon Highway Bridges: According to ODOT data, the I-5 Bridges are vulnerable to damage but not imminent collapse. Page 46 has a chart which displays slight damage from an earthquake at 8.3 on the Richter scale on the I-5/I-205 bridges. Page 48…at a 9.0, only moderate damage to Portland bridges as well as the I-5/I-205.
- WADOT Bridge Rating Guide
- Interstate Bridges Electrical Upgrade
- Our historic bridge is one of many listed in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP)
Information about Alternate Plans and Ideas
General information on alternate plans
Eliminating 90% of I-5 Columbia river bridge lifts
Third Bridge Now
SmarterBridge.org
Common Sense Alternative (CSA)
Cascadia High Speed Rail
The BNSF Railroad Bridge offers a better solution