Couple of thoughts.  First, I am a liberal Democrat who supports mass transit and even I am appalled at the short thinking that results in the Beltline mess.  This critical highway simply must be widened.  I would happily pay a toll, annual fee, whatever to get this project done.  

Second, forward-looking cities like Portland are very well served by mass transit including buses and light rail.  Our daughter lives in Portland and use the bus, MAX and Street Cars often.  I support EMX because it can be the beginning of light rail.  Eugene is going to grow and mass transit has to be part of the infrastructure.