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The Interstate Bridge Replacement Project’s executive steering group held its third meeting Wednesday and voted to confirm a proposed membership lineup for the community advisory group, the second of three advisory groups that the bi-state project office intends to rely on for feedback as it develops a potential replacement for the Interstate 5 Bridge.
“We are shifting from first gear into second gear and going into a very public phase of the IBR program,” said Program...
The Oregon Department of Transportation and Washington State Department of Transportation are excited to announce the appointment of Greg Johnson as the program administrator to lead the bi-state Interstate Bridge Replacement Program office. In this role, Johnson will jointly represent both ODOT and WSDOT to lead program development efforts using a transparent, data-driven process that prioritizes equity and inclusion.
Replacing the aging Interstate Bridge across the Columbia River with...
Federal highway officials on Tuesday endorsed an accelerated timeline proposed by Oregon and Washington transportation officials that sets the two states on a fast track toward construction on a new Interstate Bridge by 2025.
Last month, the two states requested a 10-year extension on their timeline to show progress on the bridge project or face repaying nearly $140 million in planning costs tied to the Columbia River Crossing Project. That request would’ve given the states until...
Oregon will spend $9 million on the newly revived effort to replace the Interstate Bridge over the Columbia River, a decision officials say is intended to show the state’s growing commitment to the once moribund project.
Top transportation decisionmakers approved a plan Friday to direct a large share of unanticipated federal money toward the bridge project.
The funding plan comes days after Oregon House Speaker Tina Kotek and Senate President Peter Courtney appointed a new...
Transportation commission bumps up suggested $5 million contribution to send ‘message’ about project’s importance
Oregon has provided $9 million toward operating an office to replace the Interstate 5 Bridge.
The Oregon Transportation Commission, meeting Friday in Ashland, Ore., increased a proposed $5 million contribution to underscore the project’s importance and to come closer to the Washington Legislature’s $35 million contribution earlier this year.
“I just want to make sure we are sending a message of interest and moving forward on this,” said Bob Van Brocklin, vice...
Oregon’s top political leaders are, it seems, finally convinced that Washington is serious about reviving efforts to replace the aging Intestate Bridge.
On Wednesday, House Speaker Tina Kotek and Senate President Peter Courtney formally appointed eight state lawmakers to a new joint committee tasked with overseeing the bridge talks and working with lawmakers from the other side of the Columbia River on kickstarting that decades-old planning effort.
The bureaucratic maneuver...
Legislators will join Washington counterparts as states move past Columbia River Crossing’s failure
Oregon is revving up efforts on the south side of the Columbia River to replace the Interstate 5 Bridge.
Oregon Senate President Peter Courtney and Oregon House Speaker Tina Kotek announced Wednesday they have appointed eight legislators to an I-5 Bridge committee.
“That thing needs to be fixed,” Courtney, D-Salem, said in a phone interview. “I just want to get it done. … That bridge is in very bad shape, whether it’s earthquakes you are talking about...
Local opponents say legislation would slow down additional crossing work
A bill that would put greater support behind the replacement of the Interstate 5 bridge was signed by Gov. Jay Inslee last week following legislative approval last month, with a few Southwest Washington lawmakers worried it shifts the focus away from building additional bridges over the Columbia River.
On April 24 Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1994 was signed by the governor following earlier approval by the Washington State Senate 40-5 April 10. The bill provides a framework to...
Measure would designate bridge work as of statewide significance
While many of the details of a replacement Interstate 5 Bridge have yet to be worked out, Washington lawmakers have overwhelmingly passed a bill that’s intended to hasten the project’s development once an agreement is struck.
On Wednesday, the Senate passed HB 1994, which would create a process to designate transportation projects as being of statewide significance and is squarely aimed at expediting the replacement of the bridge. The bill passed on a 41-5 vote with the...
This task should be considered an imperative for the vitality of our region, its citizens
The I-5 bridge connecting Washington and Oregon just celebrated its 102nd anniversary.
The first span replaced an overcrowded ferry system thanks to courageous leadership from Clark and Multnomah County leaders who fronted $1.75 million for construction paid by nickel tolls per horse and car. A second span was added 60 years ago, making way for one-way traffic on each span. Currently, the bridge carries about 135,000 vehicles a day. Its companion, the I-205 bridge, carries about 160,000...