The U.S. Coast Guard has advanced the effort to modernize the vital Columbia River crossing by officially sanctioning a fixed-span bridge to replace the antiquated Interstate 5 connection between Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington. The projected 116-foot-high construction is poised to supplant the current drawbridge, with the aim of easing travel and bolstering economic flow. KATU News reported that Oregon Governor Tina Kotek heralded the decision as a step towards a “safer, multimodal river crossing and corridor that will serve both states for generations.”
In a bid to realize a bridge that faithfully serves the region’s needs without undue hindrance, the IBR program proposed the fixed-span design, aiming to sufficiently serve over 99% of river traffic. Despite the Coast Guard’s initial stipulation for a 178-foot-high bridge, local decision-makers and the maritime community backed the lower-profile design. According to testimony acquired by The Columbian, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell emphasized the fixed-span bridge’s potential to eradicate the only stoplight on Interstate 5 and mitigate commute disruptions.
Moreover, regional actors, including elected officials and business representatives, openly lauded the Coast Guard’s approval. Washington Governor Bob Ferguson was quoted by Z100 Portland praising the choice as “the right decision for our economy, and for commuters who use this bridge every day.”…