Editorial

Troutdale aims for regional cooperation

The Gresham Outlook, Feb 16, 2007, Updated Oct 30, 2009

The Troutdale City Council advanced the cause of regional cooperation on Tuesday when it voted to endorse a proposed study for a north-south transportation corridor.

This wasn’t an easy decision for the Troutdale council – the vote was 4-3. But after a lengthy and well-informed discussion, the council majority concluded that planning for the future of an entire region cannot be held up by the understandable concerns of a single jurisdiction.

Troutdale now joins Fairview and Gresham in having approved a memorandum of understanding that calls for a study to be done of four potential corridors that could link U.S. Highway 26 and Interstate 84. Better linkage between those two highways is essential for East County’s economic future.

Until the study is completed, it is unknown whether it would be best to have a parkway as the primary connection between I-84 and U.S. 26 or whether it would be preferable to upgrade several corridors and spread the traffic out. At this point, it’s even uncertain whether the funding will come through for the study.

What isn’t debatable, however, is that East County cannot progress without a unified voice. We hope the Wood Village City Council will soon join its three neighboring councils in endorsing the study and showing the entire metro area that East County can come to consensus around contentious issues.

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