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The politics of the Columbia River Crossing project just got a little more complicated as a key Oregon Legislator has backed away from the project.

(AP Photo/The Columbian, Jeremiah Coughlan)

A key backer in the Oregon Legislature has voiced skepticism about the future of the Columbia River Crossing.

Sen. Lee Beyer, D-Springfield, said in a candid email to a Washington counterpart "it is my belief that Oregon is done with the bridge issue... My guess is the bridge issue is dead in our state for the next decade or two..."

The email was first obtained by The Columbian newspaper in Vancouver. It reflects a growing unease among Oregon lawmakers about the $2.8 billion project since Washington backed out as an equal funding partner. Gov. John Kitzhaber has since proposed a slightly downsized version of the bridge/freeway expansion with Oregon alone leading the way and assuming the financial risk.

When reached for comment, Beyer said he remains a staunch supporter of the project. His email was more a reflection of his "frustration" with the politics of the CRC and a difficult exchange with Washington State Sen. Ann Rivers, R-LaCenter, an ardent CRC opponent.

Here is a fuller version of Beyer's email:

"I am doubtful that the CRC will make it to a vote in February. Having worked on this issue as the committee chair for a few years now, it is my belief that Oregon is done with the bridge issue, and we can just hope we don't have an earthquake or that accidents do not get too bad. My guess is the bridge issue is dead in our state for the next decade or two. Personally, I am shifting my attention to other transportation issues."

If the CRC is to go forward, the Oregon Legislature will have to reauthorize the state's $450 million contribution to the project in its upcoming short session in February. At this point, Beyer said, he doubts there are the votes in the Oregon Senate to do so.

The CRC hailed the findings of the recently-completed investment-grade analysis, which found that tolling a new I-5 bridge would raise sufficient revenue to finance the project. About two-thirds of the approximately $80 million-a-year in toll revenue would come from Southwest Washington residents who commute daily into the Portland area.

But legal questions persist about Oregon's ability to collect tolls from Washington drivers. Oregon Treasurer Ted Wheeler said he would not issue bonds necessary to finance the bridge without more clarity on Oregon's toll enforcement authority.

Similar issues have arisen about the CRC's ability to use eminent domain powers to seize property in Washington. Portland transit agency TriMet entered into an agreement in September with C-Tran, its Clark County counterpart, which outlined how C-Tran could obtain property on TriMet's behalf for the light-rail route.

The notion of a Washington agency seizing Washingtonians' property at the direction of an Oregon entity has caused considerable consternation in Olympia. Sen. Don Benton, R-Vancouver, a fiery CRC opponent, introduced a bill in the Washington Legislature earlier this week that he said would prohibit such an agreement.

Other powerful players in Salem, such as House Speaker Tina Kotek, vow to continue to fight for the CRC. "If we miss this opportunity to build the bridge, we will likely have an unsafe, outdated bridge for another twenty years," said Jared Mason-Gere, Kotek's spokesman. "Yes, there are challenges; but the speaker doesn't believe that with a project this important you quit just because it's hard."

If Kotek can find the votes in the House, Beyer is hopeful the Senate might be swept up in the CRC momentum. "My bottom line is, if they get it out of the house, I’ll work very hard to get it through the Senate," he said. "I think it’s important for the economy of Oregon. I think it’s shortsighted not to do it."

-- Jeff Manning