Oregon and Washington moved one step closer to replacing the aging I-5 Interstate Bridge after signing agreements with the four river users identified as being affected by a proposed fixed-span bridge across the Columbia River.
These agreements paved the way for the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to submit an updated Navigation Impact Report on behalf of the Interstate Bridge Replacement (IBR) Program to the U.S. Coast Guard proposing a fixed-span bridge of 116 feet vertical navigation clearance. This is a critical milestone towards receiving a bridge clearance permit to replace the functionally obsolete 108-year-old Interstate Bridge connecting the two states.
A replacement fixed-span bridge would continue to provide access for 99% of river traffic, while removing the stoplight on I-5 to improve safety and reliability for roadway commerce, vehicles and transit. The impacts to identified river users have now been mitigated through the agreements. There is strong regional and community support that a fixed-span bridge would best address the needs of all users.
A new movable span would perpetuate the same issues travelers experience with the existing movable bridge, including travel delays, reduced freight mobility and a high crash rate. Based on past estimates without accounting for inflation, construction of a movable span bridge would cost approximately half a billion dollars more (in 2022 dollars) than a fixed span and would cost $1 million more per year to operate and maintain. By comparison, these agreements totaling $140 million represent a more cost-effective solution to advance the IBR Program to construction. Payments will only be made if the Coast Guard permits a fixed-span bridge and construction begins.
Next steps include the Coast Guard reviewing the information provided in the Program’s updated NIR. The Coast Guard will then hold a 30-day navigation comment period for river users and review those comments. At the conclusion of these steps, the states are hopeful that the Coast Guard will issue a revised Preliminary Navigation Clearance Determination for a fixed-span bridge. The Coast Guard’s decision is expected in early 2026.
Following this process, the Program’s federal lead agencies in the environmental review process – the Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration – can issue an Amended Record of Decision approving the Program to move into construction.
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