Pacific Northwest - Oregon state senator doesn't want us crossing the Columbia on bikes or by foot

Are any of you represented by Senator Betsey Johnson from Scappoose? For goodness sake, contact her and ask her to use her brain! Not being able to ride or walk to downtown Vancouver from inner Portland would be a very bad thing. (http://bikeportland.org/2008/02/22/oregon-senators-question-new-i-5-bridge-bike-and-ped-funding/) :mad:

My P&R version of this issue is here. (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?p=6215205#post6215205) :D

My P&R version of this issue is here. (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?p=6215205#post6215205) :D


Along with my P & R comment :) .

What a senseless comment for her to make, honestly.

East Hill

She seems to be a real piece of work in so many (http://blog.oregonlive.com/breakingnews/2008/01/fbi_looks_into_sen_besty_johns.html) ways (http://blog.oregonlive.com/breakingnews/2007/09/ethics_commission_finds_lawmak.html)...

I never expect much from the Oregon legislature, and I'm seldom disappointed...

I never expect much from the Oregon legislature, and I'm seldom disappointed...

In recent times, we've had dissemblers, liars, thieves, ******* and tweakers. What more should we expect from state gummint?


What I find incredible in the current controversy is that Johnson, as a member of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means and as chair of the Transportation & Economic Development Subcommittee, did not know of the 1% set aside for bike/ped infrastructure that has been included in every highway project since 1971.

In recent times, we've had dissemblers, liars, thieves, ******* and tweakers. What more should we expect from state gummint?


What I find incredible in the current controversy is that Johnson, as a member of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means and as chair of the Transportation & Economic Development Subcommittee, did not know of the 1% set aside for bike/ped infrastructure that has been included in every highway project since 1971.

But, but, but you could fix Cornelius Pass Road for that amount of money*.

*Perhaps she owns property near there?

I don't understand why anyone would build a bridge meant for fast moving, heavy traffic, but NOT see why it would be a good idea to have a way for pedestrians and cyclists to cross as well?

East Hill

Those that can do, and those that can't teach and govern. Just the way it is.

But, but, but you could fix Cornelius Pass Road for that amount of money*.

*Perhaps she owns property near there?

I don't understand why anyone would build a bridge meant for fast moving, heavy traffic, but NOT see why it would be a good idea to have a way for pedestrians and cyclists to cross as well?

East Hill


zing....

good one :beer:

But, but, but you could fix Cornelius Pass Road for that amount of money*.

*Perhaps she owns property near there?

............................................................

Cornelius Pass is a dangerous road over the hills to Washington County. There is no reasonable alternative route and there is a lot of momentum in Johnson's district to have some safety improvements made.

Cornelius Pass Article (http://www.spotlightnews.net/news/story.php?story_id=120043561531802300)

Cornelius Pass Opinion Column (http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=119983883590698100)

I am not saying that CP doesnt need imrovments, but the I-5 bridge does need pedestrian/bike crossings.

CP should have a bike lane certainly- that would be a hell of a downhill ride! But short of building a tunnel, or blasting away mountains, CP is always going to be windy and slow going.

There is Germantown RD, Cornell RD (from downtown)...

I am not saying that CP doesnt need imrovments, but the I-5 bridge does need pedestrian/bike crossings.

CP should have a bike lane certainly- that would be a hell of a downhill ride! But short of building a tunnel, or blasting away mountains, CP is always going to be windy and slow going.

There is Germantown RD, Cornell RD (from downtown)...


It's not an either/or deal. Any money trimmed from CRC will not be used for Cornelius Pass improvements. Cornelius Pass is a Multnomah County road.

Johnson's comment is just pandering to her constituents, many of whom use Cornelius pass daily to get to work and would like to see it upgraded. Too bad they have no leverage since they live in Columbia County.

Germantown and Cornell are good alternatives for traffic going to or from Portland but offer no relief to folks going to Columbia County.

there is always the Logie Trail RD :D

kidding BTW

I think everyone is missing the most obvious solution for all the problems mentioned.

Since the stated purpose of the bridge is to move freight across the river - “My view of this bridge is that we’ve got to move freight” (Sen. Betsy Johnson)
Then it should be possible to accommodate the freight trucks with just two “trucks only” bridge lanes - one each direction. This could be done for half the current proposed 1.2 billion. That still leaves plenty of money in the $600 million budget to accommodate peds and cyclist. With this plan freight and people can get across the bridge. As Sen. Betsy Johnson said “isn't it conceivable they [motorist vice ped & cyclist] would ride across the bridge on whatever kind of transit option is offered”. In the new plan, what would be offered is a bicycle and ped facility.

This plan then leaves $600 million for Sen. Betsy Johnson’s Cornelius Pass Road project and Sen. Bruce Starr’s new interchange in Washington County.