Federal transportation officials Friday awarded $1.5 billion toward a replacement for the Interstate 5 bridge across the Columbia River.
The grant, awarded from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s fund for major bridge projects, brings the total federal allocation to $2.1 billion, and puts the project within reach of its expected total price.
The new bridge is expected to cost as much as $7.5 billion to build. That includes miles of freeway work north and south of the bridge itself.
Oregon and Washington are expected to each contribute $1 billion. Planners have been counting on tolling revenue to cover the cost remaining after the federal and state money.
One of two existing spans on the existing bridge was built in 1917, and the second was added in 1958. Both are vulnerable to collapse in an earthquake, and the drawbridge for passing river traffic frequently jams up I-5.
Some critics of the project say the proposed bridge is larger than needed, with four lanes in each direction instead of the existing three, and will encourage more driving. Designers say the additions are auxiliary lanes meant to ease merging.
Proposals to use tolls to pay for its construction have drawn opposition. And Coast Guard officials say the span is too low to accommodate river traffic, a matter that remains unresolved.
Oregon, Washington and Portland officials cheered the award.
“This is fantastic news for the state of Oregon,” said Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek. “This infusion of federal funds will promote regional and national economic growth and support local jobs and broader workforce opportunities. Building this multimodal bridge also moves us closer to meeting our state, regional and national goals of reducing carbon emissions and curbing the effects of climate change.”
Lynn Peterson, president of the Metro Council, a regional policymaking body, said the region’s investment of time and pledged dollars paid off with Friday’s award.
“The time is now to move forward on this critical project and replace the century-old drawbridge that currently links Portland and Vancouver,” Peterson said. “As we work to rebuild greater Portland’s economy, it’s investments like this that will pave the way for more jobs and growth in our region.”