PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Federal officials have released a decision expected to significantly impact the cost of replacing the Interstate 5 Bridge.
On Friday, Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) confirmed U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Kevin Lunday approved a proposal to construct a 116-foot fixed-span bridge over the Columbia River between Portland and Vancouver.
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Stakeholders of the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program advocated for this option over the alternative — a 178-foot movable-span bridge. Program leaders estimated the latter design would come with an additional price tag of at least $500 million in construction, and another $1 million to maintain operations each year.
Sen. Cantwell’s office reported the current lift span over the bridge opens about an average of 250 times annually, halting traffic for up to 20 minutes…