Last year, Washington state lawmakers committed $1 billion toward constructing a new Interstate 5 bridge over the Columbia River. Now, Oregon’s Legislature has made a matching contribution from the State’s general fund. Oregon’ governor was in the news recently for placing a moratorium on using tolls to raise money for major bridge projects. Those projects were mainly inside the state on I-5 and I-205 which are both on delay status. , but more is still being done to get another bridge project moving.
For the I-5 bridge connecting Washington and Oregon, officials still must seek federal grants to complete the $5 billion and $7.5 billion project. Hope came through in the last few days of Oregon’s legislative session. Lawmakers authorized paying $1 billion over the next eight years toward replacing the I-5 bridge between Portland and Vancouver. The Pacific Northwest states can seek grant money from the federal government as a team which makes the application for federal funds much more competitive.
Washington State is serious as Oregon became conservative when looking at capital outlays for bridge projects. Oregon’s Governor Tina Kotek recently decreed ODOT pause toll collection efforts until at least 2026. A finance plan for ODOT’s Urban Mobility Strategy was created upon Kotek’s request. She wanted the agency to lay out an updated finance plan for Portland-area projects that ODOT was relying on tolling revenue to fund.
Unity with such a project usually works. With Oregon’s $1 billion added to Washington’s, the project will now seek federal grants of up to $3 billion. Federal grants may be awarded as early as next January and construction could start the year after that.
The bridge connecting Oregon and Washington, however, is in major focus now as it effects several states and other countries. This bridge is the only spot on I-5 from Mexico to Canada where cars have to stop for boat traffic, which can create huge freeway backups and delays.
