There seems to be a growing concern that we might have reason to be worried about our beloved Hood River Bridge --face it, us Washingtonians feel that it is ours, we paid for it after all. The concern is that it is the under water structure subjected to 5 knot current of chemical soup for the past 85 years or so may not be in the best of shape.
I share this concern, especially in light of what happened in Minneapolis to what seemed to be a pretty solid bridge. One can only imagine what would happen if this bridge fell into the river.
However, I am also concerned that a freeway style replacement bridge would open up the floodgates, encouraging rampant growth on our side of this magnificent gorge. Everyone on this side has friends on that side who hesitate to come over here to visit because of the toll, the shakiness, the narrowness or whatever. We know that we are lucky to have that wonderful, scenic trip to enjoy when we go shopping for big stuff.
So if you are concerned about our side becoming high density townhouse land don't be in such a hurry for a new bridge. At least be ready to do your part to make sure it is of a reasonable scale.
12 comments:
LittleFish said.....
"However, I am also concerned that a freeway style replacement bridge would open up the floodgates, encouraging rampant growth on our side of this magnificent gorge."
LittleFish, I understand your concern about this issue, but I don't think you can have it both ways in wanting a newer safer bridge but at the same time hoping to slow growth.
Whenever the future bridge is constructed, it will most likely look more like a freeway than the existing structure. I believe however that the Gorge Commission has had some input in past discussions of the design and appearance of the proposed bridge. But rest assured, it will be constructed to accomodate more traffic as well as foot and bike traffic and throw in a hefty toll to boot. My opinion.
Maybe we could write Ted Stevens (R) Alaska, and ask him for some of the money that was appropriated for his "Bridge to nowhere" to help to pay for our much needed bridge, but I think he is a little busy these days!
Beatledawg
Look at what happened to the dalles-dallesport bridge. They got a brand new highway-style bridge back in the 50s and the "rampant" development never really made it to the washington side did it?
Little fish- you seem to like peppering your statements and posts with words like "Mega", "floodgates" and "Rampant". These are emotionally charged words that have little to do with any real metric but a lot to do with getting people to be afraid.
Ok People, I am all for a new bridge, I would gladly pay a higher toll until a new bridge is payed for.Just as they did the bridge at John Day. The one we now have is way too narrow for the auto's we have now days without counting the truck traffic. Let's get real WE NEED A NEW BRIDGE if nothing more than safety's sake.
Blue Bell
I have to admit that I hate sloganism and "emotionally charged words" when someone is trying to prove their point. It reminds me of the Bush Administration and "they hate us for our freedom"! You can't take a complex issue and define it by one word or a catchy phrase. The issues we have in this area right now are complex and will require some give and take on both sides, which means it might be helpful to tone down the rhetoric.
Beatledawg
It seems obvious we will need a new bridge at some point, nothing lasts forever. Please, let's make sure there is room to walk and bike on the new one.
Anonymous: "Please, let's make sure there is room to walk and bike on the new one."
The only way you are going to make sure these are part of the new plans is to participate in the meetings. And, the only way we will get a new bridge in our lifetime is to make those calls to WDOT. (find e-mail address & telephone numbers on this blog) In the early 90's, there were lots of meetings and consideration was given to several locations for the new bridge, but when it came down to it, the decision was to put the bridge in the same place as the existing one. How will this be done while keeping the old bridge open? I don't know but hope to find out..
Blue Bell: "Let's get real WE NEED A NEW BRIDGE if nothing more than safety's sake."
The need for a new bridge is 100% for safety's sake!! There is no need to replace a bridge that is completely sound, wide enough and meets the needs of traffic. But, this bridge is 80 years old and I can't help but think about the wear and tear of the "underwater" concrete supports every time I cross the bridge!
The Gorge Commission most assuredly will have and has had an input into the bridge project. I just hope they realize the bridge is a necessity for the people in the Gorge and approve it in a timely manner instead of doing a "Mrs Castle" on it!!
Eventually, under the ownership of the ODOT & WDOT, it can have the toll taken off the bridge like they have been able to do in Portland and Astoria and thereby benefit commerce on both sides of the river.
Can a government saavy person help me understand why The Dalles Bridge is free and ours is not? And how we can get on that free program also?
To anonymous:
Do we know if a toll is proposed for the new bridge? I think if the WA / OR governments build and control the bridge, most likely it will be toll-free.
If the Port of Hood River controls the bridge, then I assume there will be an increased toll. I think the states are building the bridge, but who will operate it?
Anyone know how this will work?
If I am not mistaken, I think the Corps of Engineers built the 2 bridges and when the bridge at Mayrhill was built they only had a toll until the bridge was payed for. As long as the port of Hood River owns this bridge there will always be a toll to cross it, and the price will only go up. Ya they paint the thing, put in grids when neede, and I also fear crossing it.
Blue Bell
"Can a government saavy person help me understand why The Dalles Bridge is free and ours is not? And how we can get on that free program also?"
Almost every bridge built across the Columbia has initially had a toll applied to it and then a few years later, the toll has been removed if the bridge was built and owned by the government. For instance, you use to have to pay $3.00+ to use the Astoria bridge at the mouth of the Columbia from Astoria to Chinook, Washington. It is a couple miles long, but now there isn't a toll on it. Same thing for the Interstate Bridge in Portland. I can remember throwing two dimes into the collection bin for toll there, but it has been removed for absolutely years. I don't think The Dallesport bridge ever had a toll because it was built by the Corp of Engineers for use during the construction of The Dalles Dam. I may be incorrect on that one, but my memory is usually pretty good.. I think the toll is removed when the bonds are paid off.
John Mayo Said:
I went to the planning and public comment sessions for the new bridge exploration that were held several years ago in hood river.
I remember that the new bridge proposal has the new bridge to the west of the existing one. The plan called for it to come ashore lined up with the dock grade intersection. It definitely had ped lanes.
The talk that day was to leave the old bridge standing. The plan also called for a design that went up and over the barge lanes like the maryhill bridge.
Post a Comment