Interstate 5 provides a critical connection between Oregon and Washington that supports local jobs and families, and is a vital trade route for regional, national and international economies.


Operating and maintaining these aging structures costs around $1.2 million each year, split evenly between ODOT and WSDOT. Larger maintenance projects to keep the Interstate Bridge in service are expected to cost over $280 million through the year 2040, not including seismic retrofit.

Replacing the aging Interstate Bridge across the Columbia River with a modern, seismically resilient, multimodal structure that provides improved mobility for people, goods and services is a high priority for Oregon and Washington.

Recognizing that needed improvements remain unaddressed, Washington and Oregon dedicated a combined $50 million in 2019 to restart Interstate Bridge replacement work. The states’ governors and legislative leaders directed ODOT and WSDOT to open a bi-state project office to complete the planning, design and construction work.

ODOT and WSDOT are jointly leading these efforts in coordination with eight other bi-state partner agencies: TriMet, C-TRAN, Oregon Metro, the Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Council, the cities of Portland and Vancouver, and the Ports of Portland and Vancouver. These agencies have a direct stake in future improvements because of their roles within the region’s integrated, multimodal transportation system.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

Together with ODOT and WSDOT, they will provide coordinated regional leadership throughout program development.

Bi-state legislative involvement will also be essential to successfully complete the planning and design process and move to construction. Each state legislature has identified eight lawmakers to provide direction and oversight to shape IBR program work. Oregon’s Joint Interim Committee on the Interstate 5 Bridge is co-chaired by Senator Lee Beyer (D-Eugene) and Representative Susan McLain (D-Hillsboro). The Committee will meet with the Washington State Legislature’s committee on January 24, 2022 in a remote meeting at 6 PM. The meeting will be live streamed providing updates on the process to identify solution and draft modifications. Public comments or written testimony will be available.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2022-01-18 21:06:24

Last Update: 2022-01-18 21:25:21