Oregon Public Broadcasting

A poll released Tuesday by Portland-based Riley Research Associates found increasing support for a light rail line to connect Portland and Vancouver.  Andrew Theen reports.

Half of respondents agreed strongly that if a new bridge is built it must include light rail.  Nearly two-thirds of respondents agreed that some improvements to the Interstate Bridge are needed.

Danielle Cogan is with the Columbia River Crossing project.  She said the poll is encouraging, and echoes the public comments on the project.

Danielle Cogan: "This actually reflects the needs and desires of communities on both sides of the river.  So it's good to see that you know, people do know that there's a problem, and it's an urgent problem that needs to be solved."

Project coordinators have said any new bridge would likely carry a toll.  That idea fell flat with respondents to the Riley poll.

Mara Gross with the Coalition for a Livable Future says the results don't give a green light to the Columbia River Crossing project.

She says it shows people want improvement to the current bridge, but don't want to pay for it.