The mayors of Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington have come to an agreement about the size of a new bridge that will connect the two cities -- but on the condition that a bistate commission be set up to control congestion through tolling.
"The mayors insist that a new bistate commission be established to manage the bridge, as well as the nearby Interstate 205 crossing, in instituting tolls to keep congestion and pollution in check for generations. That would remove some of the local division from a massive $4 billion project that will have huge economic and environmental consequences for the region."
"The deal, whose details are yet to be worked out, represents a compromise for both cities. Portland Mayor Sam Adams has said that eight or 10 lanes could suffice for the crossing . It would also show concessions by Vancouver-area officials to live with tolls, van pools and other measures to ease congestion and encourage mass transit use, potentially on the only two highway bridges that bind the region."
"But the agreement hinges on a bold new step: Creating a new bistate commission to actively manage the river crossings as a system. That would go against the decades-old pattern that endlessly expands highways, with pollution, congestion and growth overtaking them -- and little thought on how to pay for maintenance or expansion."
Read the full story: Mayors support 'jumbo' bridge
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