LAST WEEK, the Columbia River Crossing project spawned a fan
club.

Billing themselves as the Columbia River Crossing Coalition, the
group—”a coalition of businesses, farm organizations, labor
unions, ports, and civic organizations”—plans to show that the
Columbia River Crossing I-5 bridge “is essential to the economic
prosperity of the region, the West Coast and the nation,” and should be
built between Portland and Vancouver.

Brian Gard of Gard Communications is heading up the coalition as
co-executive director, along with Washington State Representative Bill
Fromhold. The Portland Business Alliance, Oregon Business Association,
and the Port of Portland are some of the group’s heavyweights from this
side of the river.

The group’s support of the project has, so far, stayed in the realm
of generalities: They’re for a new bridge, light rail, bike lanes, and
pedestrian facilities, items most groups—even those with
criticisms of the project—can’t argue with. The project should
improve “access, traffic flow, and safety,” the coalition notes, adding
that tolling can reduce congestion.

Jurisdictions including Metro and the City of Portland have made
similar broad statements of support, but have also attached
stipulations with an eye on climate change, including a call for a
reduction in the region’s Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT). And groups like
Smarter Bridge, meanwhile, are advocating for a phased approach, with
tolling now to pay for pedestrian, bike, and transit improvements.

The new coalition, however, isn’t making any demands, and hasn’t
weighed in on how many lanes the bridge should have. A Project Sponsors
Council is currently debating 12, 10 and eight-lane options, which all
include three lanes of through traffic in either direction—the
one other thing local jurisdictions have agreed on.

“I think that you will find us largely staying out of the
specifics, but I think you’ll find us aggressively saying if any
one group gets everything they want, this project is going to
fail,” says Gard. “This has to be a project for all of the
region.”