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February 28, 2012
Sam Strikes Back
The Sunday Oregonian did a hatchet job on Portland's transportation budget, essentially claiming that we have taken our eye off the ball on job 1 - paving streets for cars.
This morning the Mayor has an op-ed piece defending the spending decisions, reminding us that they were framed on a basis of prioritizing safety and transportation choices, and making the case that those have been very successfully delivered.
What the Mayor does not mention is what I think the real issue is: dramatically over-forecasting likely revenues from gas taxes.
Posted by Chris Smith at 5:54 AM
Comments
February 28, 2012 6:07 AM
Chris Smith Says:
BTW - the Mercury has a fact-check piece on the original Oregonian take on the budget: http://blogtown.portlandmercury.com/BlogtownPDX/archives/2012/02/27/yes-pbots-budget-is-abysmal-no-its-not-because-pbots-crazy-for-bikes
February 28, 2012 12:40 PM
EngineerScotty Says:
If nothing else, permitting streets to develop Volkswagen-sized potholes is cheaper than installing speed bumps and other traffic calming devices. :)
That said, I'm surprised we haven't heard a bunch of complaints from the Fire Department about how poorly-maintained streets will put the public in grave danger by slowing emergency response times. (Cue Randy Leonard).
March 4, 2012 12:48 AM
EngineerScotty Says:
Bob Stacey also rebuts the Oregonian article. Shorter version: Gas tax isn't producing enough revenue to maintain new street; transit/bike projects come from different revenue sources.
