I agree that Tram cost over-runs and related issues, from re-locating OHSU to re-determining better routes for thru I-5 traffic, are options to look at.

A serious detriment to promoting higher MAX use is the tendancy of folks to want to shop or shop and eat or whatever before work, at lunchtime, or after work...which might mean longer transfer times...and should probably mean greater subsidies for mass transit...

It makes sense to route some I-5 traffic from the north to Washington County, and perhaps a 4th bypass route for those wanting to avoid the already over-burdened I-5 and I-205 routes...I remember how I cried with relief when I-205 opened! And now it's crying for more lanes!

As for the tram, perhaps other solutions are worth exploring: tunnel for an elevator and have OHSU run a bus line to the river "outbuildings"? Find a parking lot/garage site nearby and have direct OHSU streetcar access?
Create a new OHSU center with plenty of excess land for future expansion? Doesn't even need to be near Downtown! Think of it: a new, modern hospital with lots of clinic space, research space, and apartments for staff & patient families...maybe near
Canby or Wilsonville, someplace that's now wide, open space! And run a high-speed train to it from downtown Portland, with easy transfer access
from both east and west portland areas.

Time to start thinking big, with eco-friendly and low-cost parameters at the forefront. Gotta look at all the related issues: population centers and the demographics of each, how to allow folks to stay in their now-efficient cars yet map out mass-transit routes that are efficient, how to link existing cities and link-in new ones, etc.

Can we actively solicit the idea of brain-storming forums, for the purpose of encouraging our best minds: those of everyday, plain, ordinary citizens, to develop a comprehensive plan for the Portland Metro Region? Should take several years, and be very informal and include neighborhood work groups, internet weblogs, and after a year or so, some public updates of the main ideas.

This shouldn't take much staff, just one or two people to look at all the stuff and summerize, maybe monthly, to keep it going...and maybe it wouldn't go anywhere, but I'll bet it would...and would end up involving lots of citizens from bus drivers and ditch-diggers to corporate types and politicians (who would do well to restrain themselves as they track the thinking).

This goes far beyond The Tram, and might make decision-making easier and more palatable to we who are going to be paying the taxes that support change!