Coast Guard OKs less costly Oregon-to-Washington Interstate 5 bridge proposal
Oregon Public Broadcasting - OPB • • nation
Key Points:
- The U.S. Coast Guard ruled that the new Interstate Bridge between Oregon and Washington will require 116 feet of clearance, allowing for a fixed bridge design instead of a costly drawbridge lift, potentially reducing the project cost by up to $1 billion.
- The decision was praised by politicians including U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson, and Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, who emphasized the project's importance for regional economy, safety, and commuter convenience.
- The current I-5 drawbridge lacks seismic upgrades and causes traffic bottlenecks; efforts to replace it have spanned over two decades, with previous attempts like the Columbia River Crossing project failing due to political disagreements and funding issues.
- Some companies previously
