Comments on: The Roaring Traffic’s Boom http://www.howwedrive.com/2009/03/16/the-roaring-traffics-boom/ Just another WordPress weblog Mon, 21 May 2012 19:23:18 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Michael O'Brien http://www.howwedrive.com/2009/03/16/the-roaring-traffics-boom/#comment-6576 Michael O'Brien Mon, 16 Mar 2009 18:57:43 +0000 http://www.howwedrive.com/?p=723#comment-6576 Mumford nails it. Here in the Northwest, the latest variation on the belt-loosening theme is the stupefying decision to proceed with a gargantuan 12-lane bridge over the Columbia river to replace the aging Interstate 5 span. While the existing bridge is admittedly one of the biggest bottlenecks on I-5 between Canada and Mexico, an interstate commission rejected greener alternatives with fewer lanes. With stimulus funds now available, Oregon and Washington seem eager to expedite planning and construction of this $4.2 billion boondoggle. To make matters worse, the nearby presence of the tiny Pearson airport will impose height limits on design. As presently conceived, the "Columbia Crossing" isn't even a "bridge:" it's simply a place where the freeway crosses the river. Mumford nails it.

Here in the Northwest, the latest variation on the belt-loosening theme is the stupefying decision to proceed with a gargantuan 12-lane bridge over the Columbia river to replace the aging Interstate 5 span. While the existing bridge is admittedly one of the biggest bottlenecks on I-5 between Canada and Mexico, an interstate commission rejected greener alternatives with fewer lanes. With stimulus funds now available, Oregon and Washington seem eager to expedite planning and construction of this $4.2 billion boondoggle.

To make matters worse, the nearby presence of the tiny Pearson airport will impose height limits on design. As presently conceived, the “Columbia Crossing” isn’t even a “bridge:” it’s simply a place where the freeway crosses the river.

]]> By: Jack http://www.howwedrive.com/2009/03/16/the-roaring-traffics-boom/#comment-6574 Jack Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:57:39 +0000 http://www.howwedrive.com/?p=723#comment-6574 Carheads in control. Even Bush recognized that "we have a serious problem: America is addicted to oil". The belt has been loosened so many times that our best ideas for change only means hybrids. As GM goes so goes the Country. Greedy appetite or pure laziness coupled with a growing dependence on self destructive conveniences? Carheads in control. Even Bush recognized that “we have a serious problem: America is addicted to oil”. The belt has been loosened so many times that our best ideas for change only means hybrids. As GM goes so goes the Country. Greedy appetite or pure laziness coupled with a growing dependence on self destructive conveniences?

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