Yesterday a group of Portlanders came to the Capitol to lobby for a right-sized I-5 bridge replacement.
ODOT currently is operating a variously deceptive campaign to enlarge the bridge and expand adjacent highways. It will induce more driving and lead to more emissions. They say "replacement" but it's a whole lot of additional widening and capacity, a shady kind of "replacement+."
After talking with Legislators individually during the day, many in the group stayed for a meeting of the Joint Transportation Committee.
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| Rep. Mannix, too - via Twitter |
And it turned out there was a Salem-area Legislator on the Committee. Next to Rep. Pham, who is distinguishing herself as a critic of ODOT and a champion for safer streets and non-auto transportation, was Rep. Mannix.
If you live in his district, more or less north of State Street, there might be an opportunity to lobby him in favor of right-sizing the bridge and saving money. Small c-conservative values.
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| House District 21 |
Here's the messaging from the coalition. It would need to be shaped more to highlight relevant themes for Rep. Mannix.
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| SAFER bridge concept - via Twitter |
In a summary story at the Capitol Chronicle, "Oregon lawmakers hear pitch to pay $1 billion toward replacing Interstate 5 bridge," they seemed to suggest a budget-busting angle and the "accountability" theme might resonate:
Sen. Lynn Findley, R-Vale, said the federal government should pick up more of the cost. He also urged state transportation officials not to say local leaders supported the project, as state legislators haven’t yet had a chance to consider it.
“I’m not going to write you a check,” he said. “I’m going to vote against writing you a check here in a couple weeks.”
See at BikePortland for more:
(BikePortland, the Oregonian, and other Portland media will probably have more, and we may update with additional links later.)
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