http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Dig

Boston did this. They first proposed it in the 1970s. Ground breaking was 1991. It was completed in 2007 at the cost of $14.6 Billion and four lives.

This would be great if we could "magic wand" it into place. The end result of more open streets and available land for development and public use would be great. I'm not sure where we'd get the cash though and I'm not sure I could handle constant construction on the east side of the river for 15 years.

Just saying.

I lived in Boston during the debacle that was their Big Dig project, which similarly put a major highway underground. It took years to finish and had ever changing annoying traffic detours that entire time, it went billions of dollars over budget, and even killed some drivers when part of the tunnel collapsed. Suffice to say, it would suck to see that happen in Portland.

Sure, more access to the east bank would be lovely, but would we lose the burgeoning southeast industrial area during this construction, only to have it taken over by more condo development?

What could possibly go wrong?

Just shut your mouth, Sam Adams. Every time you open it, some expensive and/or useless project comes out of it.

Echoing previous commenters about how we do not want a Big Dig in Portland - if you think the CRC is over budget, just take a gander at the Big Dig...

We can be happy underground!

Wow. I came to see if anyone would reference the "Big Pig". Couldn't agree more.

The Big Dig was 3.5 miles long, while burying this section of I-5 would be, what - less than one mile?

The Big Dig was about improving life for motorists. This proposal is about improving neighborhoods, business development, and quality of life. It's a great idea.

So reading through the PDF, the biggest changes would be:

- I-5 would go underground near Vancouver/Williams
- They'd rebuild Water Ave that'd stretch from the Rose Quarter to where it currently ends near Omsi (with a new I-5 exit from the Marquam bridge)
- (I may be misreading this next part) but it looks like the Morrison bridge loses it's northbound I-5 entrance
- BUT Stark St gains a southbound I-5 entrance.

Anything else? Seems CRAAZY expensive. But it is a ton of wasted space on the east side...

What a great project to propose when you've got 9 MONTHS LEFT IN OFFICE.

Seems rather obvious that Sam is proposing projects which he thinks will get him consulting jobs after his term, and hence, his career in elected office is over. Everything he does at this point needs to be viewed through that prism.

I think this is a great - though expensive - idea.
I don't think the idea comes from Sam though - this idea has been out there for at least 20 years, usually focusing on the west side 405.

It *is* a great idea, but so is my planned threesome with Kate Upton and Salma Hayek.

You all know that Seattle broke ground last year on their waterfront-choking monstrosity that is the viaduct? Wikipedia tells me boring a 2-mile tunnel there is budgeted at $4.25 Billion.

I love all the people in Portland that proclaim we are lame while breathlessly squashing any idea that might keep us on the (national) map. (See biogas, PDX Sustainability Center.)

Bone up Portland and keep making this a better place.