Portland celebrated a major leap forward for the Interstate Bridge Replacement program yesterday with the announcement of a hefty federal grant awarded to the project. The nearly $1.5 billion chunk of change comes courtesy of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's Bridge Investment Program and represents the largest grant allocation through the program to date, as covered by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT).
With Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt's presence marking the event, it became clear that both federal and local officials are ready to seriously back the infrastructure overhaul. This new grant aims to boldly kickstart the replacement of the aging bridges that span the Columbia River, a critical artery for traffic between Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington. This latest bout of funding tacks onto the prior $600 million from the federal Mega Grant program unveiled earlier this year and a $1 million planning grant from 2022.
According to WSDOT, the project is a complete structural re-thinking that promises multimodal transit options and seismic resilience. It sets to drastically improve travel times, safety and even promises a dip in carbon emissions.
Senator Patty Murray has been an advocate for the bridge replacement since the '90s, and she is nothing but optimistic about what these federal dollars mean for the region. “And not only is this bridge overcrowded, not only is it over one hundred years old, it is also underprepared for an earthquake—which is not exactly an uncommon risk here. Traffic is frustrating enough—but that is downright dangerous. We can't just accept that as a status quo. But good things come to those who don't stopping pushing, and we have not stopped pushing. Thanks to these federal dollars we have brought back to the Pacific Northwest, the day we replace this bridge is closer than ever. There is still a long road ahead—but with this latest funding announcement, we have passed another important mile marker,” she stressed in a statement obtained by WSDOT. The improved bridge design is set to also withstand the all-too-common threat of earthquakes, a concern that existing infrastructure is ill-prepared to handle.
Moreover, the bridge carries significant economic heft. WSDOT highlighted that the I-5 stretch deals with more than $132 million worth of goods each weekday. Sen. Maria Cantwell underscored that, pointing to the bridge's vital function in regional and national trade. "The I-5 bridge is a linchpin of local commutes and our international trade network. One out of five dollars of goods produced in Washington and Oregon -- over $130 million worth of freight -- crosses the Columbia River every day,” she told WSDOT.
Construction influx has significant regional economic perks, poised to generate tens of thousands of jobs across industries. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez boasted about fighting "tooth and nail" for every potential federal dollar and championed the positive local impacts. “By bringing back more than $1.4 billion for this project, we'll be strengthening our local economy, honoring the trades, and keeping drivers, commuters, and truckers safe and on the move. I brought Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg to the bridge to show him the dire need for replacement firsthand, as well as stressing the importance of this Bridge Investment Program grant whenever we spoke. We're now one major step closer to getting the I-5 bridge replaced and powering good, family-wage trades jobs in Southwest Washington.” she declared.
ODOT Director Kris Strickler expressed gratitude for federal support, underscoring the national priority status of the Interstate Bridge Replacement. Roger Millar, WSDOT Secretary, added that all levels of support are aligned to bring the project to fruition. In addition to the federal funds, Oregon and Washington have each committed $1 billion and sanctioned tolling to shore up the financing, ensuring the project stays on track. Program officials are also eyeing approximately $1 billion through the Federal Transit Administration's Capital Investment Grant program, securing yet another layer of crucial funding for this historic undertaking.
