The much-anticipated replacement for the Interstate-5 bridge connecting Portland to Vancouver has cleared a significant hurdle with the Coast Guard’s approval of a fixed-span design. U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) hailed the decision as "a major step forward" for the project, with the intent of starting construction later this year. Cantwell, who serves as the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, emphasized the efficiency gains and cost savings the fixed-span bridge promises over the current lift span. "The vast majority of the maritime community agrees that the new bridge design will not only allow river commerce to continue but also improve safe passage down the river," Cantwell stated according to her office's press release.
As of now, the current bridge's lift span is opened an average of 250 times per year, disrupting traffic for 15-20 minutes each time. A fixed span is expected to both smoothen traffic flow on this crucial interstate and slice an estimated $400 million from the project’s bottom line. Commandant of the United States Coast Guard, Adm. Kevin E. Lunday, followed through a commitment he made at his November Commerce Committee hearing to Sen. Cantwell, finalizing the decision by the mid-January deadline. Feedback during the public comment period, which included input from local maritime interests, played a role in finalizing this design choice which offers 116 feet of clearance for river traffic without the need for a lift.
Sen. Cantwell’s involvement in the I-5 bridge replacement has been persistent and long-term. She founded the National Infrastructure Project Assistance program, also known as the Mega program, with this very project in mind. In December 2023, the endeavor was awarded the program’s largest-ever grant of $600 million, followed by an additional $1.5 billion from the Bridge Investment Program in July 2024, significantly funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), resulting in a collective funding pot of over $2.1 billion. More details about Cantwell’s efforts and the federal financing for the project can be found here.
Engagement with both federal and local stakeholders has been a hallmark of the bridge replacement project's development. Last year, Sen. Cantwell brought together local leaders and federal officials for a roundtable discussion, which included a tour of the existing bridge and considerations for future funding opportunities. The continuous push by Cantwell and other officials has maintained federal support, securing the commitments necessary to drive the project forward. This was demonstrated in August of 2024 when Cantwell joined the Federal Highway Administrator, Shailen Bhatt, to celebrate the Bridge Investment Program grant, acknowledging the collective milestones of this infrastructural initiative. Media coverage from that event featuring Cantwell’s remarks is available through various formats, including video, audio, photos, and a written transcript.
