The Governor Brings Tidings: CRC Construction in 2013?

Portland Mercury:

So... Governor John Kitzhaber was at Portland City Club this afternoon for a big address his people were billing "a call to action" for Oregonians. Life happens and I didn't get to attend in person, I confess. But, then, that's probably one of the reasons why his staff also sends out copies of his remarks. Reading 'em over, the governor played to the themes he staked during the campaign: the economy, education, and, owing to his medical pedigree, health care. Among the biggest highlights? A semi-promise that work on the Columbia River Crossing could start as soon as 2013. He also offered a broad plan for reordering how the state funds education, and also for how the state should pay for medical services. Here they are, neatly summed up, in the governor's own words as needed. 1. Yes, he really said work on the CRC might get underway by 2013. Kitzhaber revealed that on Sunday, he and his counterpart in Washington met with U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, with the idea that they all want the Interstate 5 bridge linking the states moving ahead on the fast track, despite years of back-and-forth and controversy. One question is whether we've really seen the last of that kind of drama—and whether the feds can really come up with the money."I’m happy to report we have an opportunity to get all project approvals this year, complete engineering in 2012 and break ground in 2013... I acknowledge that this project is not without controversy but I am confident we can and will build a bridge we can all be proud of." [ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

Read the full article here. Discuss below.