Sandy shouldn’t help pay for Sellwood Bridge

The Sandy Post, Oct 20, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009

ADVERTISEMENTS

Oh! What a difference a few miles can make. The Clackamas Review, a newspaper serving the communities of Clackamas and Oregon City, has published an editorial supporting a $5 fee that may be tacked on to vehicle registrations within Clackamas County to help fund a new Sellwood Bridge in Multnomah County.

Multnomah County has gathered funding for the bridge from several sources, including state and federal funding and a bond measure. In addition, Multnomah County residents will be asked to chip in a $19-per-year vehicle registration fee, almost four times more than the fee Clackamas County residents might pay.

While the bridge is in Multnomah County, there’s no disputing that this is a regional project. For the residents of that portion of Clackamas County with quick and easy access to the bridge, they’d be getting a great deal at $5 per vehicle registration.

Based on the proximity of Clackamas and Oregon City to Milwaukie, the Willamette River and the Sellwood Bridge, it only makes sense that those communities should help shoulder the cost of building the new bridge. After all, if you use it, you shouldn’t mind helping to pay for it.

But that’s where it stops.

A decision will be made soon that could increase vehicle registration fees by $5 throughout Clackamas County.

1 | 2 Next Page >>