The Columbia River Crossing (CRC) between uncomfortable neighbors in Portland, Ore. and Vancouver, Wash., was set back on Nov. 8 when voters in Vancouver turned down a tax increase to subsidize O&M of a light rail line that Portland insists must be part of the $3.5-billion bridge replacement project.

The 0.1% increase would have provided up to $5.5 million per year for rail and express bus operations included in the preferred alternative approved in December 2011. While not a deal breaker, political opponents of the new bridge in Vancouver are using the vote to call for a redesign of the bridge, the plan of finance and environmental permits.