CRC "fourth alternative" group moving forward
The CRC project to do, eh, something about the I-5 bridges across the Columbia River takes another small step forward. A subcommittee is working on a so-called "fourth alternative" to add to the already approved staff proposal, which is best described as a sizeable new bridge with either light rail or bus rapid transit.
Details are starting to emerge about what the "fourth way" CRC subcommitee is working on. From The Columbian:
If you wish and haven't done so, you can read my Jan. 30 blog post "Inside the Columbia River Crossing project." If you're still not familiar with the project, it's kind of an overview. Long for a blog post but about feature length.
Details are starting to emerge about what the "fourth way" CRC subcommitee is working on. From The Columbian:
Rough outlines call for a new bridge with two lanes in both directions that would not offer direct access to Hayden Island. It would improve I-5's peak hour capacity by 10 percent and provide "modest improvements" to freight capacity.The CRC task force is slated to consider adding the "fourth alternative" to the DEIS, according to The Columbian, on March 27.
Other options to be studied in the new alternative: reversible lanes, tolling lanes and high-capacity lanes.
The alternative also would call for shifting the lift span on the downstream BNSF Railroad Bridge from the north side to the middle, the better to line up with one of the ship channels under the I-5 Bridge.
That won't be cheap, though. Ron Anderson, deputy consultant project director, said earlier estimates of $41 million to switch the lift span were low. Costs for similar projects around the country were more like $150 million, he said.
If you wish and haven't done so, you can read my Jan. 30 blog post "Inside the Columbia River Crossing project." If you're still not familiar with the project, it's kind of an overview. Long for a blog post but about feature length.
