The BCC and the CRC: What to do?

The Clackamas Board of County Commissioners is concerned about increased traffic and congestion on I-205 if there is tolling on the Columbia River Crossing bridge on I-5.   The County wrote 3 letters in the last 5 years expressing concern about the volume of traffic that will divert to I-205 to avoid tolls, creating increased congestion.  Earlier traffic studies predicted I-205 might be maxed out by 2030, with or without the tolling, however a newer study created for another purpose moved the date up to 2022.

On October 29, the Board of Commissioners wrote a letter to the Governor requesting to see a recent traffic study they believe is in possession of ODOT, and that the state make reasonable accommodation for the influx of traffic on I-205.  The state did not respond to the requests by the Board's November 11 deadline, and now they are considering their response which could include formal opposition to the CRC and/or tolling I-205 to keep traffic evenly divided between I-5 and I-205.  At their December 5 meeting, the Board of Commissioners will vote on what their response will be.  Commission Chair, John Ludlow, suggested the County formally oppose the CRC.

County citizens, especially those who use I-205 even occasionally or use it to get to the airport, will be affected by the CRC.  Comments by the public may be made at the Board Meeting on the 5th - it would be good to have citizens involved in the decisions they have to live with!  If you want to have an impact on what your commissioner do, attend the meeting!  

Thursday, December 5, 10:00 am in the BCC Hearing Room
The County only publishes the BCC calendar for the next week, so please check for the correct time at:  http://www.clackamas.us/bcc/schedule.html

Tolls on the Columbia River Crossing 

Will Max Out Interstate 205

New Public Records Unveil Massive Exodus from Interstate 5

Willamette Week Sept. 23rd, 2013 by ANDREA DAMEWOO

Only about half as many cars would use the Columbia River Crossing than previously predicted, and far more will choke the Interstate 205 bridge as drivers try to avoid paying tolls, according to new information uncovered by Portland economist Joe Cortright.Plans for tolling Interstate 5 at the CRC will cause Interstate 205 to reach capacity. Meanwhile, traffic on Interstate 5 will plummet to half that originally predicted by state officials. State officials were counting on higher traffic counts—and the tolls drivers would pay—to cover the costs of the $2.8 billion project.The projections were made by CDM Smith—the company the CRC hired to perform an investment grade analysis on tolls—but were previously not disclosed by the CRC to state legislators or the media, despite a number of public records requests.