Letter: John Braun for Congress – Navy captain, business leader, and state senator

Douglas Tweet offers his support for John Braun in his 3rd Congressional District race

Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are those of the author alone and may not reflect the editorial position of ClarkCountyToday.com

US Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez touts her influence in getting federal funds for a new I-5 Bridge replacement project across the Columbia River. Yet the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program (IBR) design does not serve the vast majority of users. The IBR plan worsens congestion, impedes freight, and imposes high pre-completion tolls starting in 2028, with planned annual increases of 2.15%.

The IBR design replaces the existing three thru lanes with just three thru lanes at an estimated cost up to $15.2 billion with $3.5 billion for light rail. One auxiliary lane for local traffic (from one side of the river to the other) is included. An option for a second auxiliary lane was designed, which IBR’s own analysis shows is significantly better for congestion and safety, but was rejected in favor of expensive light rail. Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez has championed the IBR plan since 2023, including light rail.

Gluesenkamp Perez mentions the importance of freight in every press release, but freight mobility is not prioritized in the IBR bridge design. About half the bridge is allocated to light rail, buses, pedestrians, and bicycles, a tiny fraction of potential users. The vast majority of users and toll payers (cars, trucks, freight, etc) are crammed into the other half. The design is grossly unfair.

See cross-sections of the IBR recommended bridge design with one auxiliary lane each direction.

Graphic from Chapter 2 (Figure 2-18) of IBR’s Final Supplementary Environmental Impact Statement.

• Traffic lanes – 12 ft
• Light rail – 34 ft (3 lanes)
• Pedestrians & bicycles – 25 ft (over 2 lanes)
• Bus-on-shoulder – 2×14 ft =28 ft (over 2 lanes)
• Vehicles three thru lanes + 1 auxiliary lane in both directions. A 2nd auxiliary lane would add 8 ft to each bridge.

Totaling lane widths both north and south, about seven lanes are devoted to light rail, pedestrians, bicycles, and buses, with eight lanes (including one auxiliary lane each way) for cars, trucks, ambulances, etc.

Legislators from both states are very concerned about the failure to improve congestion and freight.

Bus ridership across the bridge is extremely low, half of what it was 20 years ago. Furthermore, light rail ridership in Portland has dropped dramatically also, to half or less of forecasts.

Gluesenkamp Perez said she is against tolls or wants to minimize them, but paying for $15.2 billion or more relies heavily on borrowing funds, backed by tolls. Cutting light rail could save $3.5 billion, reducing the need for borrowing and high interest payments.

To avoid tolls on the I-5 Bridge, many drivers are likely to divert to the I-205 bridge, producing further congestion on that route. Recently, some are urging the State Transportation Commissions to toll both bridges.

Very few Clark County citizens will ever use the light rail to cross the I-5 bridge. Bus riders can already easily connect to MAX light rail using the Route #60 C-Tran bus. Light rail will bring higher tolls, more congestion, and increased taxes to pay $millions in operations & maintenance costs for light rail.

Clark County voted against light rail three times in the past (1994, 2012, 2013). Gluesenkamp Perez does not acknowledge this history, or advocate for a new vote.

The IBR website claims that light rail is required to obtain a Capital Investment Grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). However, the FTA’s own website says Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is also eligible for CIG funding, and lists numerous examples. Former U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler confirmed BRT eligibility for grant funding with a letter to the IBR administrator in April 2022, as well as emphasizing the numerous votes against light rail. Gluesenkamp Perez has ignored Clark County votes against light rail.

Gluesenkamp Perez also wants to make it easier for 18-20 year old CDL drivers to cross state lines, which could make crossing I-5 and I-205 bridges more dangerous. Lately, there have been far too many news reports about unqualified and inexperienced semi-truck drivers causing serious or fatal accidents.

In contrast, John Braun supports replacing the old I-5 Bridge, but it should focus on reducing congestion and improving road safety, not just being a means to force Portland’s light rail on us. He advocates that the people of Clark County should be allowed to vote on light rail.

John Braun is highly qualified for Congress. In 13 years as a state senator Braun delivered the largest college tuition cuts in the nation, fully funded public education, and cut property taxes for 73% of Washingtonians. He served in the Navy and Naval Reserve for 31 years in demanding leadership roles, retiring as a captain. Braun earned two Engineering degrees (Bachelors in Electrical and Masters in Manufacturing) and an MBA. He is the co-founder and president of a manufacturing business in Chehalis employing 350 people. John Braun will bring his intelligence, technical understanding, leadership, and practical business knowledge to Congress. Vote John Braun for Congress in the August 4 primary.

Douglas Tweet
Camas