Where We Live: The Interstate Bridge

VANCOUVER, Wash. (KOIN) — The Interstate Bridge, linking Oregon and Washington, is actually two bridges that are nearly identical that carry traffic in opposite directions. The first span was built in 1917 — 107 years ago — as a way to relieve pressure on the robust ferry system that once dominated river traffic in downtown Portland.

Today, more than 130,000 vehicles travel the I-5 Bridge every day, a transportation lifeline between Vancouver and Portland. But it’s outdated, prone to congestion and would not be able to withstand a major earthquake.

US Senate Transportation Committee Chair Maria Cantwell (D-Washington) was among those celebrating the $1.5 billion grant to replace the bridge through the Biden administration’s infrastructure law. The states of Washington and Oregon have each pledged $1 billion toward a new bridge, bringing the replacement bridge to about half of its estimated $6 billion to $8 billion.

“I’m telling you, take a picture now because it’s not going to be here much longer,” Cantwell said recently.

Intersta te Bridge Replacement Progr am – Public Briefing on August 20

This project is already further along than the last attempt to build a new interstate bridge. Plans for the so-called Columbia River Crossing collapsed in 2013 after nearly 8 years of planning and $200 million in spending. The project died when the Washington State Senate failed to approve its share of the funding.

But the need for a new bridge never went away. Mayor Anne McEnerny Ogle lamented that fact in 2018 when she took office.

“All we want is to get started,” she said.

It now looks as if the Vancouver mayor will get her wish.

The new Interstate Bridge will be a critical connector to Vancouver’s fast-growing waterfront development, which is already a regional attraction.

There are still design and review processed to complete and the bridge could take several years to build. Construction could begin in 2026.

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