So, by the time I'm 33 we could be paying tolls on a new bridge that would cross over to Vancouver, WA where the I-5 currently crosses over. So says an Oregonian article in today's paper. While the article details the charges, they aren't of immediate interest to me; indeed, they would seem to pay for the upgrade to safety and traffic flow that a new bridge would give.

What interests me is the Portland-Vancouver interaction where it comes to mass transit. I don't really have a wish list per se-- just one item that I really want to see.

Currently, relatively few options exist if you don't own a car and want to get out to Vancouver. I think a Tri-Met line or two goes out there, and I know I've seen Vancouver buses driving around the Hollywood district, but that's it. Otherwise, the commute is terrible; coming from Vancouver to Portland is a traffic nightmare (especially on the 205 near the airport) and going out is a long haul or impossible if you don't have a car. Plus, wouldn't it be nice to reduce the number of car trips? It's environmentally-friendly!

So here's what I'm proposing. We need light rail cooperation between our two cities. Running a Green Line out to the east side is a fantastic start, but with Portland and Vancouver being sister cities and somewhat co-dependent, let's talk about making it easier for our people (and theirs) to commute. It can be cheaper for the consumer, better for the environment, and a useful option for those who just can't commute by car.

For naming purposes, I hereby dub this project-in-waiting our "Orange Line" and think it would be totally awesome. It could run along the 1-5 corridor and have reciprocity with bus lines that run along the main arterials it would connect to in each city. I don't really care who runs it (Tri-Met, Vancouver's authority, or both combined), we can bring together stakeholders, and we can figure out how to pay for it later (combination of tolls and both cities kicking in, perhaps?), but wouldn't it be good to ensure any conversation about a new bridge includes talk of a light rail line? With the growth that both of our metro areas will inevitably see in the coming decades, I assert that getting ahead of the transportation curve is important. This could do that. It seems like the powers-at-be agree, as the Oregonian notes that light rail is in the conversation. Great. Good job everybody. Now let's talk about how to make it a reality.

Because we all remember what happened to the city that grew and grew and grew without good public transportation? And that city woke up one morning, realizing that it had no way to move these people? And that the problem would cost way too much to fix after-the-fact? And do you know what this city is called? Los Angeles, my old hometown. Just saying.

What's your opinion of transit between Portland and Vancouver when it comes to a new bridge or light rail? Do you have thoughts on the Oregonian article?