Plans for a new bridge over the Columbia River in Oregon have local officials in a debate over lanes, tolls and sprawl.
"Both the Metro and Portland councils are concerned that a bridge with too many lanes would boost driving and related pollution, promote suburban sprawl in northern Clark County and eventually refill the highway with the congestion that now thwarts the freight corridor."
"Planners with the Oregon and Washington transportation departments say the Columbia River Crossing project would avoid those downsides. The bridge those planners are proposing would double the six lanes currently spanning the river to 12, but the project would include toll charges and light rail that would combine to promote mass transit use and discourage driving."
"Bridge planners assumed three toll rates, charged at the bridge on both sides of the river: $2 each way during rush hour, $1.50 off-peak and $1 at midday and nighttime. The prices were based on the assumption that about one-third of the project's total cost would be paid by toll revenue."
FULL STORY: The toll may tip the debate on the size of a new Interstate 5 bridge

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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