Friday, November 12, 2004
Short-sighted plans lead to overcrowded highways
Oregon's Transportation Commission, which is appointed by the governor (who has been a Democrat for nearly two decades), has resisted any expansion of Interstate 5, the main north-south route in the state. The Department of Transporation is currently replacing many of the bridges on the freeway, which would have been a great opportunity to expand the road's capacity. Even though the state's population has grown by 75 percent since the last major expansion (increasing the Portland-Salem segment from four to six lanes), the Commission insisted that new bridges allow no increase in capacity.
Now truck traffic on Interstate 5 has led to serious congestion all the way from Eugene to Portland. So the Commission has ordered the Department of Transportation to find an alternate truck route. The only viable alternative is old highway 99, which for the most part is a two-lane road that goes through the downtowns of many small and medium-sized towns. Naturally, the towns object to increased truck traffic.
The state can no longer pretend that people are going to stop driving. Transport advocates should demand that the state increase I-5's capacity or build an alternate four-lane freeway route between Portland and Eugene.
Now truck traffic on Interstate 5 has led to serious congestion all the way from Eugene to Portland. So the Commission has ordered the Department of Transportation to find an alternate truck route. The only viable alternative is old highway 99, which for the most part is a two-lane road that goes through the downtowns of many small and medium-sized towns. Naturally, the towns object to increased truck traffic.
The state can no longer pretend that people are going to stop driving. Transport advocates should demand that the state increase I-5's capacity or build an alternate four-lane freeway route between Portland and Eugene.
Comments:
I don't consider what's happening to be short-sighted at all. The town doesn't want an expanded highway 99 to destroy another good neighborhood. Small towns and cities across the nation no longer want a six lane highway in their back yard. The days of road expansion are coming to an end.
Here's what Corvallis really wants.
>>>>In an October letter, the Corvallis Area Metropolitan Planning Organization detailed its objections and suggested that the state look at other transportation alternatives, such as rail.<<<<<
The town wants the trucking industry to moved by rail! Plain and simple. Many cities are successfully using "intermodal" to remove thousands trucks off roads. The people of Corvallis elected a Democrat for nearly two decades and they are fortunate to have them because rail roads are the answer. Not highway expansion.
Post a Comment
Here's what Corvallis really wants.
>>>>In an October letter, the Corvallis Area Metropolitan Planning Organization detailed its objections and suggested that the state look at other transportation alternatives, such as rail.<<<<<
The town wants the trucking industry to moved by rail! Plain and simple. Many cities are successfully using "intermodal" to remove thousands trucks off roads. The people of Corvallis elected a Democrat for nearly two decades and they are fortunate to have them because rail roads are the answer. Not highway expansion.
