Sellwood Bridge funding in jeopardy

Former Oregon City commissioner Dan Holladay filed paperwork for a referendum that threatens funding for the $330 million Sellwood Bridge replacement.

Holladay supports putting the matter on the ballot before raising vehicle registration fees.

On Dec. 9, Clackamas County commissioners swept aside strong opposition to approve the $5 annual surcharge. The fee would go into effect in 2012, when drivers would be asked to pay $10 more for a two-year vehicle registration. The fee is projected to raise $22 million Clackamas County committed to the project.

The fee upset many Clackamas County residents who say they should not share in replacing the Sellwood Bridge, which sits in Portland in Multnomah County.

Holladay would need to collect at least 6,252 signatures by March 9 in order to successfully place the issue before voters on the Sept. 20, 2011, ballot. There is also a slim chance voters could see the issue on the May 17, 2011, ballot if he submits the required signatures by Feb. 16.

Read more at OregonLive.com.

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