Author: Chris Smith

  • The TriMet Ballot Measure

    From my perspective, this sort of came out of the blue. Portland Afoot has been doing a very good job of following the details. But there’s one bit of logic in the timing that I can understand. TriMet is applying a “maintain existing revenue streams” approach. This was applied with lottery bonds. When the West…

  • Rent Yourself an Electric Vehicle

    Enterprise Rent-A-Car is going to roll out electric vehicles next year in Portland and other select markets. Check out their press release.

  • First CRC Hurdle Cleared?

    Yesterday, I described four hurdles that I thought a Columbia River Crossing project within the current boundaries defined by the project team (i.e., without take some significant steps backward to examine more alternatives) must clear. Today at the Project Sponsors Council meeting, a resolution appears to have been reached, at least in principal, to the…

  • Four Hoops for the CRC

    I’ve been mulling over the recommendations of the Columbia River Crossing Independent Review Panel, and the reactions to the report in the community, thinking about how this thing is going to move forward. It seems to me that there are two likely outcomes: 1) Collapse of the project, and a restart at some point in…

  • CRC Compromise Approaching?

    Metro President David Bragdon and Portland Mayor Sam Adams released a joint statement earlier today calling for a Columbia River Crossing project that builds a bridge capable of holding 10 lanes with full shoulders, but only striping the bridge for 8 lanes at opening. They also call for a revised interchange strategy for Hayden Island…