Oregon Public Broadcasting

People from both sides of the Columbia River turned out in droves Wednesday night for the first of two opportunities to weigh in on the proposed Interstate Bridge replacement.  Andrew Theen reports.

Over 200 people filled the ballroom at the Red Lion in Vancouver.  Of that group, more than 40 signed up to speak directly to project coordinators.

That testimony varied from pure disdain of the project, to an attitude that unless something is done soon, congestion and the price-tag of a new bridge will only worsen.

Roy Ettinger is a Portland archictect who says he has mixed feelings about the project.   He says it will just divert congestion elsewhere.

Roy Ettinger: "You're just rearranging the deck-chairs on the Titanic in this mode that we see now.  It's very nice, very innovative, very neat, I look forward to it being done.  But there's still a lot of frustration that you're not really solving the problem."

Ettinger says ultimately he expects a replacement bridge with light rail is a done deal, though other options are on the table.  The second public hearing is Thursday night at the Expo Center in Portland.