CRC the Biggest Political Debacle

Salem Statesman-Journal (editorial):

Cover Oregon might not be the worst blunder committed by our state’s politicians.

That dishonor should go to the now-shelved Columbia River Crossing — the new bridges desperately needed to ease traffic congestion between Oregon and Washington.

Both projects suffered from the same condition: arrogance, also known as “We’re right; therefore, you’re wrong.”

Cover Oregon eventually will be fixed. Either Oregon will get the technology working or the state will adopt some form of the federal health-insurance exchange.

But after a dozen years of work, the Columbia River Crossing is going nowhere. The project will be shut down by May 31.

And, like Cover Oregon in the health-care world, the CRC debacle has gained national notoriety in the transportation world.

Read the full article here. Discuss below.

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