Light rail alternatives should be examined

Posted

The Columbia River Crossing project has become mired in political division and conflicts with air and river traffic. We need to back off and take another look at what may be possible now.

In the past, we were corrected in thinking the I-205 Glenn Jackson Bridge was originally designed for light rail. Still, it should be a simple matter to determine if there is a way to retrofit that bridge for light rail now. It appears far less expensive to retrofit a modern bridge now and deal with the essential I-5 bridge replacement when we have budgetary and political breathing room.



Light rail following the I-205 corridor would by appearances be easier to build, manage, and have more potential ridership than running it to and through already congested West Vancouver. It would be far more centralized, so far more Clark County citizens could share its benefits. It would also take at least as much traffic off our interstate system.