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I found myself feeling very frustrated as I listened to this program while driving in heavy traffic to work. Putting the regions economic growth priorities above environmental ones reflects very shortsighted and selfish thinking. Those with vested economic interests, the Portland Business Alliance for example, don't seem to grasp the reality of the climate crisis: the survival of life on earth as we know it, including the human species, is now uncertain. No one knows exactly when we will reach a point where global warming becomes irreversible. We may already be there. Building this proposed bridge is prima facie evidence of what I call dinosaur thinking. If we continue to compromise on environmental concerns, we will all end up rich and dead.

I have a better idea. Why not restrict trucks from the Interstate Bridge and other areas of heavy traffic during rush hours? Invest a fraction of the funds proposed for building the new bridge in layover areas with facilities for truck maintenance and driver comforts. I suspect that the amount of fuel saved by not idling and creeping forward in heavy traffic would offset the cost of these delays. If not, the provide further economic incentives for drivers and trucking companies. For example, the cost of fuel at layover facilities might be subsidized during mandated layover times. The costs of funding this type of project would probably be far less than that of building the proposed bridge, and the environmental benefits would far outweigh the minor inconveniences to truckers.

posted 4 years, 12 months ago
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