Third Bridge Meeting in West Salem on Monday

Just in case the scale of the thing isn't clear, here's a concept detail drawing from 4D superimposed on a nearly identical bridge that was actually built. (Even the color scheme matches!)

4D:  It's really big!

The West Salem Neighborhood Association meets on Monday, and this is a chance to get a larger number of people engaged. Even if you think a ginormous bridge is necessary, surely you would agree that a $687 million expense deserves the highest level of scrutiny. 

And it's just not getting that scrutiny.  But that's a lot of money!

One of the things that is consistently surprising about the conversations about the Third Bridge is its lack of popular traction either way.

Courthouse Square, roughly a $50 million problem, gets tons of press and attention.

Alternative 4D, is officially a $687 million problem, and if built will surely hit a billion.

But apart from a nearly autonomous planning process, the broad public isn't much engaged. 

At present the West Salem Neighborhood Association does not seem to have a position on the proposed bridge alignment. It seems possible there is a deeply mixed sentiment rather than a broad consensus. 

But you know, it shouldn't be that difficult. As proposed, alternative 4D would rip through West Salem and the Highland neighborhoods. Just look at that aerial photo!  Think about it running lengthwise through Wallace Marine Park, looming over Edgewater, plowing through Highland. 

It's a turkey, a boondoggle, a bad idea all the way around, monstrously oversized and costly.

The association meets Monday, November 19, 2012 at 7:00 P.M., in Roth’s West, Mezzanine floor, 1130 Wallace Rd NW.

For more on the River Crossing / Third Bridge see a summary critique and all breakfast blog notes tagged River Crossing. The No Third Bridge advocates also have lots of useful information.