Greater Greater Portland - IBR, aka CRC 2: Boondoggle Boogaloo, Part 2 ft. Chris Smith

Portland Radio Project

In the second half of a two-parter, hosts Xavier D. Stickler, Bradley Bondy, and Jenna Deml speak to guest Chris Smith about the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program (IBR). Chris, who holds a position within the No More Freeways campaign, gives his insight into the problems with the IBR (ie. the rising budget and indefinite tolling of the bridge) and offers up potential solutions. One of which might include an underwater tunnel. Guest Biography Civic involvement is in Chris Smith‘s blood. His father was a Chamber of Commerce leader and chaired the hospital board in Pittsfield in Western Massachusetts where he grew up. His mother was a League of Women Voters chapter president and sat on the board of the local community college. His love of the Northwest Portland neighborhood led him to serve as neighborhood transportation chair, which began a robust, lengthy tenure in public service that continues to this day. Chris’s interest in walkable neighborhoods led him to a seat on the Portland Streetcar board, the first of a number of committees, boards and commissions centered around transportation and land use, including service on the influential TPAC and MPAC committees at Metro, and over a decade of service on the Portland Planning and Sustainability Commission. He has consistently been a voice for sustainable and equitable urbanism, walking, biking and transit. Chris can be seen riding around the district on a bright yellow eBike, his principal form of transportation. He and his partner live in Northwest Portland with their dog Buttercup. Researched, written and hosted by Xavier D. Stickler and Bradley Bondy Produced, edited, and co-hosted by Jenna Deml Thank you to Lynn Stanek for sponsoring this episode.