An Environmental Injustice: Freeway Project Would Increase Pollution in Portland’s Most Polluted By PAUL KOBERSTEIN All traffic crossing the Columbia River emits toxic air pollution, which threatens the health of people living in North Portland neighborhoods — the dumping ground for much, if not most, of Portland’s pollution for several decades. The CRC predicts traffic …
Global Warming and Freeways One of the most important questions connected to the Columbia River Crossing is how it will impact climate change. Traffic is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions that are forcing global temperatures to rise. Nevertheless, the CRC’s supporters say their project will be good for the planet. “The greenest bridge …
I-5 Expansion Plan and its Empty Promises By PAUL KOBERSTEIN If you are looking to the proposed Columbia River Crossing for a quicker commute, healthy air, and progress toward a solution to global warming, you will may be disappointed. Despite promises, there’s reason to doubt the CRC will deliver any of that. That statement summarizes …
Lagging traffic volumes could force taxpayers to cover bridge debt By PAUL KOBERSTEIN Construction of the Columbia River Crossing, — the $3.9 billion plan to build a new Interstate 5 bridge and expand the freeway between Portland and Vancouver — is several years off, but the project may already be in financial jeopardy because not …
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OPINION: Did The Oregonian misinform its readers about an expensive, unneeded bridge to an unwary public? Commentary by Ronald A. Buel The Oregonian, as many of us have known it over a lifetime of daily reading, has been a critically important part of the Portland region’s life. There was a time, not so very long …
Our choice, our future By PAUL KOBERSTEIN Portlanders are driving less, and have greater needs than a new I-5 bridge — we should clean up our toxic air, rebuild our bus system, and earthquake-proof our city first There’s no doubt that Interstate 5 is congested, which slows down commuters and the flow of commerce. Traffic …
Region’s rail system has some unfinished business By PAUL KOBERSTEIN Last week’s opening of the Orange MAX light-rail line to Milwaukie serves as a gentle reminder that Portland’s mass-transit system has some unfinished business — primarily the extension of the northbound Yellow line across the Columbia River and into Vancouver, Wash. Though often proposed by …
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Road Rage: Could fury over freeways topple plans for a new Columbia River bridge? Or will Portland join By PAUL KOBERSTEIN Portland is known as a test tube for radical ideas. Its critics have warned that, one day, Portland could choke on its own unique vision of “sustainability,” or one of its other new age …