Seventy people rallied in the streets of Portland on June 14th against plans to build a new I-5 bridge across the Columbia River, deploying a giant banner from the roof of a nearby building reading, “More Lanes=More Cars=More Climate Change. No CRC [Columbia River Crossing]!” Earlier, a “Pedalpalooza” bike ride had toured the areas of North Portland that would be affected by the plan.

Protesters have previously deployed a banner off the current bridge and performed street theater in front of public meetings about the project. They are opposed to the bridge for its promotion of single-passenger transportation, contribution to air pollution and global warming, and potential to displace community residents.

As part of the Corridors of the Future program to reduce congestion on major trade routes, the federal government has given $15 million for highway “improvements” from State Route 500 in Vancouver to Columbia Blvd in Portland, including the Columbia River Crossing. In August 2008, President Bush issued an executive order to speed up the environmental review for the plan.

For more information on the bridge plan and resistance, contact Cascadia Rising Tide.

The I-5 Interstate Bridge joining Portland, OR and Vancouver, WA