The beleaguered project, which already lost funding support from the state of Washington, is likely off the table in Oregon, according to reports. The project’s failure sends a bad signal about the political reality of replacing unsafe bridges.
Jeff Manning reports details of a leaked email indicating a key legislator in Oregon, Sen. Lee Beyer, D-Springfield, is ready to pronounce the Columbia River Crossing Project dead. In the project’s first catastrophic setback, this summer, the Washington State Legislature rejected a funding package for the project. The project seemed revived by the political support of local governments, so to keep the project alive, Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber “proposed a slightly downsized version of the bridge/freeway expansion with Oregon alone leading the way and assuming the financial risk.” The scaled back proposal would cost $2.8 billion, down from the original $3.4 billion price tag.
The twin spans of the existing I-5 bridge “were built in 1917 and 1958. Both are considered ‘functionally obsolete’ by state transportation officials.”
“If the CRC is to go forward, the Oregon Legislature will have to reauthorize the state's $450 million contribution to the project in its upcoming short session in February. At this point, Beyer said, he doubts there are the votes in the Oregon Senate to do so,” writes Manning.
FULL STORY: Influential lawmaker predicts "Oregon is done" with Columbia River Crossing
Opinion: Columbia River Crossing Just Another Highway Expansion
Billed as a "bridge replacement," the latest iteration of the Columbia River Crossing project is a costly expansion that will impose new tolls and cost upwards of $5 billion, according to an article by Joe Cortright.
Columbia River Crossing Back From the Dead With a New Name and Potential Changes
2021 will be a big year for planning on the Interstate Bridge Replacement project, née Columbia River Crossing, that will connect Washington and Oregon across the Columbia River.
Once Abandoned, Now Accelerated: Columbia River Crossing Replacement Building Momentum
A project to build a new bridge between Portland and Washington State, once scuttled by Washington lawmakers, now has an aggressive timeline. There was some financial pressure involved in getting the project to its current status.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.
The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.
DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)