The Oregon Department of Transportation says closing a portion of southbound I-5 through Portland for five continuous weeks is the most efficient way to complete necessary repairs (“Southbound I-5 through Portland’s Rose Quarter to close for up to 5 weeks; Officials warn of severe delays,” Aug. 24). I appreciate the importance of worker safety and understand that major infrastructure work causes disruption.
But when ODOT calls this the cheaper option, I have one question: Cheaper for whom?
A project doesn’t become cheaper simply because its costs move off ODOT’s balance sheet…