You know that horror movie gimmick where someone's supposed to be dead, but then they open their eyes and grab the protagonist while some loud orchestral burst makes you jump? That's sort of been the Columbia River Crossing, lately.
The proposal for a new bridge (and wider highway) as Interstate 5 crosses the Columbia was thought deceased last year, when Washington didn't pony up its share. But it inhaled sharply, the orchestra jammed on their cellos and violas and timpani, and the project seemed to breathe yet—this time under a proposal that Oregon assume all the financial risk.
But now maybe it's finally dead. At least, according to the chair of the Oregon Senate Transportation Committee. The Columbian reports Springfield Democratic Sen. Lee Beyer has communicated as much to Washington State Sen. Ann Rivers.
“I am doubtful that the CRC will make it to a vote in February,” Beyer wrote to Rivers. “Having worked on this issue as the committee chair for a few years now, it is my belief that Oregon is done with the bridge issue, and we can just hope we don’t have an earthquake or that accidents do not get too bad. My guess is the bridge issue is dead in our state for the next decade or two. Personally, I am shifting my attention to other transportation issues.”
The reflections follow a hearing on the bridge in Salem last week, where it became clear there were many, many unanswered questions—and a lot of indigestion—surrounding the proposed Oregon-led version of the project.
So maybe the restive french horn section can finally go home? You never know with this thing.