Early this month, Portland broke ground on a hugely expensive light-rail bridge across the Willamette River, part of a $1.5 billion, 7.3-mile rail line to the Portland suburb of Milwaukie. This prompted faithful Antiplanner ally John Charles to write an article arguing that this is a “bridge to the last century.”
In response, Portland’s mayor, Sam Adams, wailed at a public meeting that “We’re under attack. Basic, impartial information is under attack” (click here for a 33-MB audio recording of the meeting; Adams’ comments are at 1:05:05, but the meeting is liberally littered with statements by public officials hostile to anyone who doesn’t share their utopian vision).
Adams called Charles’ article a “screed,” but what really raised Charles’ ire is the claim that Adams was on the side of “basic, impartial information.” So Charles replies with a barrage of “basic, impartial information” about the new light-rail line.
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Most important is the fact that the line will significantly reduce the quality and speed of transit service to Milwaukie. The five bus routes that currently serve Milwaukie, including two express buses from Milwaukie to Portland, will all be cancelled once light rail opens. Light-rail service will be slower and less convenient (because it will reach fewer destinations) than the buses that it will replace.
Recent elections over funding for Portland transit suggest that John Charles represents the majority position in the Portland area, though possibly not the city of Portland itself. Meanwhile, a recent article in Portland’s Willamette Week newspaper suggests that the region lacks the funding to continue building its transit utopia.
One key vote will take place next November when Vancouver–Portland’s twin on the Washington side of the Columbia River–gets to vote (again) on funding light rail. The city voted against it before, but since then it has been inundated with propaganda and Portland’s transit agency is so optimistic that it actually built a light-rail line to the river in anticipation of Vancouver funding the crossing. We’ll see.
Interestingly, C-Tran (the Clark County, WA transit agency) plans to continue, and even expand, its express bus service to Portland even after MAX light rail is extended into Vancouver. This is baffling since the bus service will no doubt siphon off many transit riders who otherwise might take MAX, due to the bus being so much faster (I take the bus and can get to downtown Portland from Salmon Creek north of Vancouver in less time on the bus than MAX takes to go less than half the distance from its Expo Center terminus; the bus averages about 45 mph vs. 15 mph for MAX). This is likely only possible because C-Tran is independent from Tri-Met, the Portland transit agency, which probably would have canceled the bus service.
It would have made much more sense to look at BRT on I-5 as a genuine transit option when the alternatives analysis was being done, but of course it wasn’t, since it was predetermined that LRT would be the choice (technically, BRT was considered, but only as far as the Expo station, where riders would have to transfer to MAX. This guaranteed it would not compete favorably with LRT). HOV lanes could be built on I-5 for the whole distance in both directions for less than the cost of the LRT line, and they would provide more congestion relief than LRT (because they would serve carpools/vanpools too) and would have also helped relieve the severe congestion that plagues this section of I-5 even during off-peak hours and on weekends.
The optimist in me says maybe this funding crunch will cause a reconsideration of more cost-effective options, but the realist in me knows it won’t. There’s no question that the Columbia River bridge needs to be replaced, but the bridge itself will cost less than $1 billion, about a quarter of the total project cost. LRT will cost about the same, with the balance going towards needed, but not essential, improvements to I-5 north and south of the bridge. The money already committed by the states ($450m each) would be enough to pay for the bridge itself without having to rely on tolls. The other I-5 improvements could be built later as funding was available, and the LRT extension could be eliminated altogether. The HOV lane could be incorporated into the bridge design as planned (5 lanes in each direction, compared to the current 3 lanes; for political and/or funding reasons, they call the two additional lanes “auxiliary lanes”).
On a side note, it’s interesting that they are planning on getting New Starts funding for the entire $850m cost of the LRT extension. There was a provision in recent federal legislation that allowed them to consider the entire cost of the project, including the highway improvements, when calculating matching funds.
Sam Adams, a terrific lager. I don’t feel like listening to over an hour of audio, I’ll just take Charles word for it.
LazyReader wrote:
Sam Adams, a terrific lager.
Correct.
I don’t feel like listening to over an hour of audio, I’ll just take Charles word for it.
John Charles is a man of decency and integrity. His words about transit in Portland (including the shaky finances of Tri-Met, MAX light rail in general and Portland-area land use fantasies) are (in my opinion) correct, even though they are considered heresy by some.
The Antiplanner wrote:
Most important is the fact that the line will significantly reduce the quality and speed of transit service to Milwaukie. The five bus routes that currently serve Milwaukie, including two express buses from Milwaukie to Portland, will all be cancelled once light rail opens. Light-rail service will be slower and less convenient (because it will reach fewer destinations) than the buses that it will replace.
This is a story that I have seen repeated many times when new rail transit is started.
But to promoters of rail transit, it’s not about providing fast and even cost-effective transit service, it’s about building railroads and streetcar lines, and all of the things that go along with these, such as transit stations, maintenance shops, fare evasion enforcement, transit police forces, signal systems, traction power stations, track walkers – and on and on.
And when the patronage of the rail line is not what had been forecast, then there are calls and demands for “transit-oriented” land use, which usually means high-density apartment buildings near the stations.
The Antiplanner also wrote:
Early this month, Portland broke ground on a hugely expensive light-rail bridge across the Willamette River, part of a $1.5 billion, 7.3-mile rail line to the Portland suburb of Milwaukie.
Will this bridge replace the (old and creaky) Steel Bridge over which the MAX light rail currently runs?
Or is this a new crossing of the Willamette?
“Portland’s mayor, Sam Adams, wailed at a public meeting… but the meeting is liberally littered with statements by public officials hostile to anyone who doesn’t share their utopian vision.”
Hello pot, meet kettle.
CPZ: This is a story that I have seen repeated many times when new rail transit is started.
But to promoters of rail transit, it’s not about providing fast and even cost-effective transit service, it’s about building railroads and streetcar lines, and all of the things that go along with these, such as transit stations, maintenance shops, fare evasion enforcement, transit police forces, signal systems, traction power stations, track walkers – and on and on.
And when the patronage of the rail line is not what had been forecast, then there are calls and demands for “transit-oriented†land use, which usually means high-density apartment buildings near the stations.
THWM: That’s Bullshit! We’re after the most bang for a buck, that’s why we were against NJT’s tunnel to no where under the Hudson. What’s needed is a new tunnel into Penn staion that be can used by both NJT & Amtrak.
“Portland’s mayor, Sam Adams, wailed at a public meeting… but the meeting is liberally littered with statements by public officials hostile to anyone who doesn’t share their utopian vision.â€
Hello pot, meet kettle.
Hey Bennett, I’m not sure where you live, but I think it’s not in Portland. I lived in the Portland area for 25 years, so I know a little about it. The city of Portland is Sam Adam’s/METRO’s personal fiefdom for extending his/their agenda, which is mostly anti-auto and pro-bike/rail/street. In fact, this statement:
but the meeting is liberally littered with statements by public officials hostile to anyone who doesn’t share their utopian vision.
…perfectly describes the attitude in Portland.
CP:
Will this bridge replace the (old and creaky) Steel Bridge over which the MAX light rail currently runs?
Or is this a new crossing of the Willamette?
The new bridge is not a replacement for the Steel Bridge, which, as far as I know, is actually in fine shape. The new bridge is for transit (buses, rail), pedestrians, and bikes only. No cars. Steel bridge currently carries all modes of transportation.
metrosucks says: “…perfectly describes the attitude in Portland.”
You’re probably right. I’ve only visited Portland once and am relatively unfamiliar with the politics there. From the perspective of Mr. O’Toole, and from the research I’ve done myself, I have concluded that there are some very troublesome aspects to rail transit projects there.
But that’s not what my pot/kettle remark is about. Honestly, its similar the arguments I have with you, and in the case of todays post, it’s the blatant hypocritical hyperbole. Mr. O’Toole, in the same breath, accuses his opponent of “wailing” his opinions in a public forum, and the goes on to “wail” his opinion in the exact same sentence (on a public forum).
This blatant two-faced approach takes an otherwise salient point and possible constructive debate and shoots it in the leg. It is an example of everything that is wrong with politics, the bloggoshpere, and American culture (wars) today. It’s almost impossible to have an honest debate because both sides, regardless of the debate, are passive-agresssively calling each other assholes, and then getting mad when being called an asshole.
I fall into the trap quite often, I try to pull others (namely you) out of it when I see the heading that way, and I expect more from the Antiplanner as he has shown me that he doesn’t have to go there. When I see it I’m gonna call it out, and I honestly appreciate those that have called me out on it here in the past.
Bennett, I don’t see anything offensive about Randal’s description, included the part you quoted. I think it’s particularly appropriate, in fact, given the sort of ship they’re running over in Portland, where dissent is squashed and anyone who disagrees with light rail/streetcar empire building is ridiculed as a kook.
But that’s our two different opinions on the matter.
How do you propose we deal with these sort of opponents? They’re simply not interested in debate, listening to opposing views, or listening to anything not in agreement with their worldview. They’ve decided that it’s light rail and streetcars or the highway (pardon the pun).
Opponents such as Randal are ridiculed/dismissed using the usual “right-wing extremist/Koch brother funded” smears. In fact, I think that the head of the CPI responded in the manner he did at least partially due to the manner in which his careful studies are casually dismissed in this city.
Highwayman makes an interesting point. That trains require lots of baggage to operate. You need huge maintenance yards for simple upkeep, buses need them to but don’t require even a fraction of the kind of attention. As long as the buses engine and drive train work your fine. If the bus breaks down on the side of the road, you can make repairs to it. If a train breaks down you have to tug it back to the yard meanwhile you have delayed train service where as a additional bus can be sent out.
metrosucks says: “…ridiculed/dismissed using the usual ‘right-wing extremist/Koch brother funded’ smears.”
And then the other side uses socialist, “mentally ill,” liberal propagandist smears. “But they said it first!!!!” B.S.
If you want to engage these people in a substantive debate, don’t start with comments like the room is “liberally littered.” Don’t tell them “they’re simply not interested in debate, listening to opposing views, or listening to anything not in agreement with their worldview.” When that’s where were we start, it’s also where we end. Nothing gets accomplished. Eventually, it’s going to take the leaders of one of the sides of the debate to grow up and be the bigger person. Mr. O’Toole could have left the 3rd paragraph out of this post, the high road would have been taken, and I would be talking about rail transit instead of culture war politics.
As long as “liberally littered… utopian vision,” or “right-wing extremist/Koch brother funded†is the choice of words, we will be forever spinning our wheels.
But to promoters of rail transit, it’s not about providing fast and even cost-effective transit service, it’s about building railroads and streetcar lines, and all of the things that go along with these, such as transit stations, maintenance shops, fare evasion enforcement, transit police forces, signal systems, traction power stations, track walkers – and on and on.
You’re just not looking at it the right way. Imagine all the ancillary benefits this project could provide.
Bear in mind, bennett, that many think tanks publish a great number of reports as regards to light rail, streetcars, high speed rail, and urban renewal. These reports aren’t filled with insults or denigrating language. Does Metro, Sam Adams, or any of the other corrupt leadership in Portland read these reports or follow any of their recommendations? No! Well, maybe they read them for a good laugh.
So yes, absolutely, Sam and his thugs are totally a bunch of crybabies for screaming about one of those think tank fellows who showed up to inject some reality into a process of delusions.
We’ll just have to agree to disagree here.
@bennett I don’t think the phrase “liberally littered” is being used in the ideological sense here. “Liberal” is being used in the literal sense, meaning manifest or widespread. In this context, the statement is meant to imply that the meeting contained many statements by public officials, not that the officials were ideologically liberal/Leftist themselves (even though that may be the case).
Agreed MI. I think Bennett took the comment a little too personally. He should remember that slamming planners in Portland doesn’t equate to slamming him. There is a need for planners even if they don’t work for the government.
On a side note, the “officials” involved were definitely liberal/leftist (as are most, if not all, who push light rail/streetcars).
Lr; Highwayman makes an interesting point. That trains require lots of baggage to operate. You need huge maintenance yards for simple upkeep, buses need them to but don’t require even a fraction of the kind of attention. As long as the buses engine and drive train work your fine. If the bus breaks down on the side of the road, you can make repairs to it. If a train breaks down you have to tug it back to the yard meanwhile you have delayed train service where as a additional bus can be sent out.
THWM: What you just wrote there tells me that you have no idea about what you are writing about.
Bear in mind, bennett, that many think tanks publish a great number of reports as regards to light rail, streetcars, high speed rail, and urban renewal. These reports aren’t filled with insults or denigrating language. Does Metro, Sam Adams, or any of the other corrupt leadership in Portland read these reports or follow any of their recommendations? No! Well, maybe they read them for a good laugh.
So yes, absolutely, Sam and his thugs are totally a bunch of crybabies for screaming about one of those think tank fellows who showed up to inject some reality into a process of delusions.
We’ll just have to agree to disagree here.
THWM: Though the people in those “think tanks” have ideological/political/personal financial gain agendas, just as you and O’Toole have ideological/political/personal financial gain agendas.
You don’t like people that are anti-automobile.
Yet you’re anti-railroad, anti-public transit, anti-cyclist & anti-pedestrian.
Bennett said it quite well before; “Hello pot, meet kettle.”
no, i’m not anti-transit. i’m anti-waste, anti-fraud, anti smart-growth delusions. but you like to interpret that in your twisted fashion. Your smear makes about as much sense as calling me anti-horse & buggy.
No one is saying Portland is perfect either.
Though Metrosucks, you seek hostility.
So let me get this straight. Because I am against a fraudulent and massively wasteful light rail project, I “seek hostility”?
Hey, isn’t it fair for everybody (85%+ non-users) to pay for public transit [used by <4%]? And <20% of general taxes to pay for highways, which 85% use & 100% benefit from (ag goods transport).
This measuring of gov services is only applicable transportation, as hypocritical as it is, but not to education, medical, HHS or any other.
What's the value or usefulness of this? Worth the cost?
BTW, anybody notice that public construction costs have risen much faster than the CPI?
All public spending is now about 40% of GDP (up about 5%-points in 2 years). Taking from the private sector, via tariffs, misc taxes, regulations, the rich, businesses (affects all as consumers), does not alleviate.
Raise the level of water in a bathtub by scooping water to another side?
So, High-man still interprets any critical analysis as anti-whatever, which he thinks (or doesn’t think) automatically debunks the premise.
Hey, many people & groups are for organic (no manufactured fertilizer & pesticide, etc.) agriculture. Does that make the use of any, bad? Global food yields would be <30% than now if so.
Yup, this organic method, along w/many pushes: anti-DDT, pro-ethanol, fluoride, A21, enviro-extremism of animals over humans & other nefarious hidden programs are ways of depopulation & control.
Hyweeman, please try presenting facts & reasoning for a position — any position, pick something — need more cheese [for your whine]. What is the need for "baggage" on local rail?
Yeah it's tough for you to support any point. Your limited paragraphs get torn apart & lambasted via data & concepts often.
It's doubtful that after passing the GED, that you will have a sparkle of brightness. Look at Dan, somehow he even fooled universities. However, writing BS essays & papers, especially when espousing a collectivist, statist nature, can be easier than having the admin erase wrong answers.
Scott, just ignore Highwayman. He’s a selfish leftist welfare-loving loser who wants the whole nation to heavily subsidize his train rides around the country, to the tunes of billions. He is incapable of adding anything substantive to the conversation.
As for Dan, he didn’t really fool the universities; he never even finished his Masters at the UW.
Well I can see that context isn’t important to you guys.
Don’t use words you don’t understand. Stick to “STFU”, “seek hostility”, “anti-rail”, and such.
ROTFLMAFO!
In a few years, when there will be no more government pork rail being built, we’ll see who’s laughing.
Metrosucks, if you had your way a lot of people would be gulags & concentration camps!
You’re evil, but I find the irony funny.
What do gulags & concentration camps have to do w/anything ever typed about?
Oh, yeah, Highman cannot provide counters, so distracts & fabricates unrelated items.
It is evil to take general taxes & car taxes to pay for ~2/3 of public transit, which only handles <2% of all passenger miles.
I’m not against paying for my cities fire department & I hope I never have to call them.