I-5 bridge project panel finds problems, proposes solutions

Columbia River Crossing called essential for the region; questions still remain

By Jim Redden

The Portland Tribune, Jul 30, 2010, Updated Jul 30, 2010 (14 Reader comments)

An independent review panel appointed by the governors of Oregon and Washington to review the Columbia River Crossing has identified numerous problems with the controversial project.

But in a report released on Friday, the panel concludes that the Interstate 5 bridge and interchange project is necessary for the future of the region and should move forward as soon as possible.

“A new river crossing must be built; the 'no-build' option is not a viable alternative. Merely retrofitting the existing bridge does not address the fundamental purpose and need,” reads the report, which was released by Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski and Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire.

Kulongoski and Gregoire appointed the panel in April in response to concerns about the size, cost and management of the project raised by local elected officials on both sides of the Columbia River. The panel concluded that many of their concerns were justified, including questions about the ultimate cost of the project.

Light-rail and the bridge

Although transportation officials say the replacement bridge and related interchange improvements could cost up to $3.6 billion, the panel found that some much about the project is in flux that accurate costs estimates are all but impossible.

“The IRP is unable to assess the accuracy of the cost estimate for the project,” according to the report.

The panel also said it could not determine whether the bridge will still meet the region’s needs in 100 years, which is the expected lifetime of the project.

“This is not simply a street widening project where a community can widen again in 10 years. Traffic patterns; land-use strategies, freight growth and other key inputs into existing models do not provide a dynamic vision of the future when thinking in terms of a 100-year facility,” according to the report.

Nevertheless, the panel said many of the basic decision already made about the project are sound and will benefits the region. Among other things, the panel said that including a new light-rail connection between the Expo Center in North Portland and Vancouver is an absolute must.

“The IRP finds that light rail transit (LRT) is an essential component of the successful CRC and that LRT and the CRC Bridge are co-joined; one won’t be built without the other. The systemic value of extending the LRT from

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