Touchstone Architecture/Columbia River Crossing

Everyone seems to be talking about infrastructure and green jobs, which are expected to be a big part of any Federal stimulus package. One tension, however, is that a lot of infrastructure projects, especially highways, are anything but green. Here’s one plan that attempts to reconcile this discrepancy, a wind turbine-equipped bridge planned for Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington.

The schemes, designed by Florida-based Touchstone Architecture, would integrate vertical turbines into the structure, powering lighting and toll stations. It’s difficult to evaluate the project as energy generation capacity has yet been estimated. It’s important to note, however, that this project is not pie-in-the-sky. The proposed Columbia River Crossing would integrate car, train, pedestrian, bicycle traffic, including Interstate-5 and a light rail line to Clark College in Vancouver, Washington.

Touchstone Architecture/Columbia River Crossing

The Crossing is be one of hundreds of projects vying for federal funds, but advocates hope the green bells and whistles will help it stand out from the crowd.

(The Oregonian via Planetizen).