Debate on I-5 Rose Quarter Project

You might have noticed that there's a new debate over freeway widening in Portland.

Probably the best summary of it is at the Portland Mercury: "Oregon's $450 Million Plan to Widen I-5 Has Portlanders Preparing for War: But Can Activists Kill Another Highway Megaproject?"

Portland Mercury

BikePortland gets into the weeds with the most comprehensive coverage:

• August 29th: "Planned widening of I-5 at the Rose Quarter is Portland’s next big freeway fight"
• August 30th: "With letter to City Council, new coalition launches fight against I-5 Rose Quarter project"
• August 31st: "Backers say I-5 Rose Quarter widening could be model for future freeway projects"
• September 1st: "The Street Trust says “compromises with legislators” are why they won’t sign I-5 widening opposition letter"
• September 1st: "Saltzman wants congestion pricing of I-5 before widening project starts"
• September 7th: "Press release: Coalition prepares to testify against freeway expansion at City Council"
• September 8th: "No love for I-5 Rose Quarter project at city council hearing"
• Sept 15th: "Portland Mayor rebuts opposition to I-5 Rose Quarter project in radio interview"

The coalition opposing it has a project site, No More Freeway Expansions.

The Street Trust, formerly Bicycle Transportation Alliance, has distanced themselves and seems to be trying to have it both ways: "The Future of the Rose Quarter."

Via the AP, the local presentation at the SJ

Almost certainly the single most important takeaway is the concept of trying out decongestion pricing first. See how that does or does not tame the traffic. And then consider other measures if it fails. But try pricing first.

This story we probably won't follow closely here, but may update this post for reference and to keep a running tally on it as it develops.

Elsewhere:

• September 27th: "Transportation equity: Why peak period road pricing is fair" At City Observatory
• A couple of pieces at OPB on October 13th: "I-5 Expansion In Portland Faces Opposition, Unanswered Questions" and a podcast, "'OPB Politics Now': Portland Girds For A Freeway Fight"