Transportation Secretary: Columbia River Crossing Not Designed For Speed

By ANDREA DAMEWOOD

Back in Washington D.C. after stumping for the Columbia River Crossing in Washington state last week, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood continues to take a beating over the megaproject.

Today, U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-Wash.), tore into him over the controversial project, D.C. Streets Blog reports.

Last week, video was leaked from LaHood's meeting with Washington state senators opposed to the $3.4 billion light rail, highway and Interstate 5 bridge project. One Vancouver Republican boasted he "schooled" LaHood in a press release.

D.C. Streets Blog, a transportation site, says that during a meeting today with the House Appropriations Committee, LaHood clashed with Herrera Beutler, who opposes an extension of TriMet's MAX line into downtown Vancouver. When she asked him why build an expensive light rail line to save one minute in travel times, LaHood replied "we don't promote building roads or bridges to get places faster."

Here's a recap from D.C.:

WWeek 2015

Willamette Week’s reporting has concrete impacts that change laws, force action from civic leaders, and drive compromised politicians from public office. Support WW's journalism today.