More:Rivers: State funds for CRC unlikely
Senator tells project foes she doubts Legislature will act on plan this year
Opponents of the Columbia River Crossing project filled the Grand Ballroom at the Red Lion Hotel at the Quay on Friday.Friday, March 29, 2013
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State Sen. Ann Rivers, R-La Center, told a gathering of mostly Columbia River Crossing opponents Friday that she doesn't believe the controversial project will receive funding in the Washington Legislature this year.
The remarks came during an anti-CRC rally that filled the Grand Ballroom of Vancouver's Red Lion Hotel at the Quay. A dozen local politicians and business owners made their case against the CRC, painting the $3.4 billion Interstate 5 Bridge replacement as a damaging proposition to Clark County and its residents.
The project, which would also rebuild several freeway interchanges in Washington and Oregon and extend light rail into Vancouver, has become a major issue in both states' legislatures this year. Oregon lawmakers have already authorized a commitment of $450 million to the CRC. Project leaders say they need Washington to do the same if the CRC has any hope of beginning construction in late 2014, as planned.
But Rivers, who has become a prominent voice on the project in Olympia, said Friday she doesn't see that happening.
"I do not anticipate a $450 million (commitment) this year," Rivers said. Whatever transportation funding package the state ends up with, she added, "I don't see that written in."
Both Senator Benton, who brought up the economic impacts on small businesses because 10's of millions in tolls would disappear every year instead of going into restaurants, theaters, and other locations dependent on discretionary spending brought up the 800 pound local gorilla in the room, the one thing they never do studies on.... because they don't WANT to know.... and Rep. Pike did exceptional work laying out the horrific issues of finance and local impacts.
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