Koenninger cops to the fact: the ONLY reason for a replacement bridge is loot rail.

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When Tom Koenninger actually begins to address reality on any project, you know it's in serious trouble.

In the understatement of the decade, Tom observes, rhetorically, "Maybe the bridge can wait a few years."

No kidding? Like, how ever many years it takes to build a bridge on the west side and another one on the east side? However many years after 2 additional bridges are built? Like that?

FINALLY, someone connected with the Pravda Columbian acknowledges SOME of the facts of the matter, no matter how indirectly. Those facts are these: the majority of people in this county believe the entire concept of replacing a perfectly serviceable 6 through-lane bridge with a $4 Billion replacement with 6 through-lanes is a moronic nightmare; and that using that as cover for the true purpose of this massive waste; that is, to bring loot rail into Vancouver, is as idiotic as President Obama's unneeded and unnecessary porkulus rip off.

The Powers That Be already know this: that is why they refuse to put this massive mess to a county-wide vote.

We've known for months that there's no money for this massive boondoggle. Politician after politician, from Sen. Patty "dim bulb" Murray on down has tried to tell these money-wasting fanatics that there is no money to waste on ego-driven projects like these... and until now, none of the main shillers has acknowledged that fact.

But in his acknowledgement, what's the first thing Koenninger says?

-- Restore the trolley tracks in the existing bridge to allow light rail to cross the river and add another transit option between Vancouver and Portland. (Cars also would drive on the trolley tracks).

No.

No to any delay. PERMANENTLY shelve this crock of horse poop.

No to light rail. No to any version for light rail. No to any expenditure for light rail. No to no more studies for light rail, studies we knew would only result in a light rail "option" from the beginning, $10's of millions of wasted dollars ago.

He continues to blather:

During the golden oldies, trolleys would clang, clang, clang across the bridge. The tracks could be restored, and linked to Max light rail at Delta Park. During a test program, many questions could be answered. For example, has this patch to Max reduced bridge traffic? As bridge congestion increases, has light rail ridership gone up proportionately?

This is even more nonsensical crap.

The results of such a massively expensive project would be the same as the so-called "pilot project" for the infamous HOV lanes. You remember THAT debacle, don't you? Accidents, congestion, $10 of thousands of wasted dollars for lane painting and signs. A dogged insistence by these same ignorant twits that the HOV project, which we lived with for an agonizing FOUR years before Sen. Benton was finally able to get it killed, was somehow a "good thing."

With that track record, it's fairly clear that no matter WHAT the results of such idiocy, the Koenningers of the Downtown Mafia would still twist the facts into some sort of justification for loot rail... and, by extension, some nonsensical reasoning to continue their efforts to screw us.

The HOV lane, finally and rightfully put to a well-deserved death in early August of 2005, but it still stands as a memorial to the same arrogance and tonedeafness exhibited by the blithering, self-centered idiots behind this abuse of the taxpayer known as the I-5 Bridge Replacement/loot rail scam.

Koenninger closes his lying diatribe by again acting as if he's off his medications. He ignores the growing hatred of the idea that he and a select few others would impose an addition $1200 yearly tax on commuters to go to their jobs in Portland, all in the name of his additional psychotic efforts at social engineering.

We don't want this bridge. We don't want loot rail. We don't need this bridge. We don't need loot rail.

And every time I see the Pravda Columbian print such lies and utter propaganda, I pray for their demise to occur sooner, rather than latter. I, for one, am sick of theire efforts to damage this community.



TOM KOENNINGER Feb. 11: Maybe bridge can wait a few years

Wednesday, February 11 3:01 a.m.

BY TOM KOENNINGER

Here's an I-5 replacement bridge idea that has yet to gain traction: Put most of the Columbia River Crossing project on the shelf for five years, to let the economy strengthen.

Meanwhile, proceed on multiple fronts:

-- Restore the trolley tracks in the existing bridge to allow light rail to cross the river and add another transit option between Vancouver and Portland. (Cars also would drive on the trolley tracks).

-- Allow the entry design project to continue to create a stunning gateway to the state of Washington. More later.

-- Continue efforts to bridge the "Grand Canyon divide" between east and west Vancouver by capping part of the freeway.

-- Allow and encourage the bridge debate to continue between straight-talking Mayor Royce Pollard of Vancouver and petulant Portland Mayor Sam Adams.

-- Allow and encourage proliferation of innovative ideas.

More: (If you can stomach it)