A Feb. 17 article, “Gluesenkamp-Perez, Newhouse invite new Secretary of Transportation to visit I-5 Bridge,” failed to mention the growing cost of the I-5 Bridge plan, currently estimated at $5 to $7.5 billion, with cost increases expected later in 2025.
The Trimet MAX light-rail component is estimated at $2 billion to construct. Expensive light-rail is not required on the bridge, nor is light-rail needed.
C-TRAN buses and vans have met the declining demand for public transit over the I-5 bridge for decades, and C-Tran vehicles can meet the need in the future, at a fraction of the cost. The 2033 cost estimate to operate and maintain MAX light-rail annually is estimated at $20,238,570 vs. $1,551,920 for C-TRAN Express Buses. Nineteen light-rail vehicles that cost $10 -$15.2 billion each are in the Interstate Bridge Replacement (IBR) plan.
In the article, a press release from Gluesenkamp-Perez’s office noted that 131,747 vehicles crossed the I-5 Bridge each weekday in 2021. The number of passenger trips on transit buses that crossed I-5 bridge each weekday was not included.
In 2006 there were ~3,300 weekday daily transit passenger trips (on buses) over the I-5 Bridge. How many weekday transit (bus) passenger trips were there from 2007-2024? This data is vital for the public to know as part of the National Environmental Policy Act, NEPA, evaluation process for the IBR project.
In 2020, C-TRAN bus ridership over the I-5 Bridge plummeted and remains well below 2019 levels. Recently, C-TRAN and IBR made presentations to Camas, Washougal, Battle Ground, La Center and also to the Clark County Council, yet weekday passenger trips on buses over I-5 Bridge have not been included in slides shown to the councils. After the presentations in Camas, the city council voted unanimously to adopt a resolution to oppose light-rail on the I-5 Bridge, since it is far too expensive and unnecessary. Affordable buses are a better option.
In 2012, every city in Clark County and the county area in the voting boundary rejected the C-TRAN ballot proposition to raise the sales tax to extend MAX light-rail over the I-5 Bridge into Clark County. Many voters living outside city limits were excluded, though they pay sales tax when shopping in cities. Thus, in 2013, a county-wide advisory vote was held to oppose any light rail project in Clark County unless it is first supported by a majority of voters in a county-wide vote of the people.
Over 68% of voters agreed.
Battle Ground heard the presentations and discussed whether to oppose light-rail on the I-5 Bridge at the Feb.18 council meeting, and was undecided. Clark County Council had an IBR presentation Wednesday, Feb. 26, and a council meeting that the public could join by computer, phone or in-person.
If MAX light-rail comes to Clark County, it will likely be extended further around the county, like it has in counties in Oregon. Citizens concerned about the high costs of light rail for very few passengers should contact city and county councils right away.
Margaret Tweet
Camas
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