Historic federal funding moves Interstate Bridge Replacement program closer to construction

Federal and state officials celebrate major milestone in the effort to replace the critical connection between Oregon and Washington

PORTLAND, ORE. - An important milestone in the effort to replace the Interstate Bridge between Oregon and Washington was recognized in Portland on Thursday, Aug. 8. Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt joined federal, state and local officials from both states at an event to celebrate the historic federal grant award recently announced for the Interstate Bridge Replacement program. The event highlighted the nearly $1.5 billion federal grant made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's Bridge Investment Program. Photos from the event can be found on the IBR Flickr page.

The grant is the largest award announced to date for any project through the FHWA's Bridge Investment Program and the third federal grant awarded to the Interstate Bridge Replacement program. Previous grant awards include a $600 million grant through the federal Mega Grant program announced by the U.S. Department of Transportation earlier this year and a $1 million planning grant from the Bridge Investment Program announced in 2022.

"Under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's Bridge Investment Program, we are making the single-largest dedicated investment in bridges since the construction of the interstate highway system," said FHWA Administrator Bhatt. "Moreover, this grant in Oregon and Washington state is the largest of all the grants being awarded in this second round of funding. It's helping to reinvest in our nation's infrastructure and ensure vital connections for Americans that will improve safety, boost their quality of life, and deliver a transportation system that works for everyone."

The Oregon Department of Transportation was the lead on a joint application with the Washington State Department of Transportation to request $1.49 billion for the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program through the FHWA Bridge Investment Program. The grant will help fund replacement of the two aging vertical lift bridges that carry Interstate 5 over the Columbia River, connecting Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington. The modern, seismically resilient, and multimodal replacement bridges will provide safe and accessible options for driving, walking, biking, rolling, and riding transit. The project will help reduce travel times and congestion along this critical corridor, improve safety and quality of life, and lower carbon emissions.

"I have championed this project just about as long as I have been in the Senate. That was back in the early 1990s-and it was already in sore condition," said Sen. Patty Murray. "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."

The bridge is a critical connection between Oregon and Washington on I-5, which is a vital trade route for regional, national and international economies. More than 143,000 vehicles and over $132 million in goods cross the bridge each weekday. Despite the bridge's importance, it's rated as one of the worst truck bottlenecks on the West Coast and travelers experience heavy congestion which affects commuters, freight and public transit. The area's current crash rate is over three times higher than statewide averages. Improving travel reliability and safety through the construction of the IBR program supports regional access to jobs and the efficient movement of people and goods through the program corridor.

With one span of the Interstate Bridge now over one hundred years old, the current structure can no longer meet the needs of today's travelers and is vulnerable to earthquake damage. Replacing this aging bridge over the Columbia River will help ensure travelers and local communities can continue to access the bridge and life-saving services in the event of a major earthquake.

"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," said Sen. Maria Cantwell. "Today we are farther along in the bridge replacement process than we've ever been, thanks to the strongest federal support for any infrastructure project in our state's history. This huge new federal grant will help us deliver a bridge that can serve Clark County and the whole nation for the next hundred years."

The IBR program will boost the local and regional economy by building a multimodal transportation corridor that benefits all travelers, from local community members to long-haul truck drivers traveling on I-5 between Canada and Mexico. Reducing congestion and improving safety of the corridor will provide tangible economic benefits across the region through more reliable travel times, improved safety, and improved access to goods and services.

"When we brought $600 million home to replace the deteriorating, functionally obsolete I-5 bridge last year, I promised to keep fighting tooth and nail for every federal dollar possible. It's the only way we get this colossal undertaking done - as well as ensure we feel the benefits of our tax dollars and avoid tolling," said Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez. "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."

The infusion of the historic federal grant funds into the region during construction has the potential to provide the region with a once in-a-generation economic opportunity. Tens of thousands of jobs across multiple industries will be generated during the construction period benefiting workers, local businesses, and families. Construction activity needed to get ready for the replacement bridge could begin as soon as late 2025.

"We are incredibly grateful to our federal partners for this strong show of confidence that they agree replacing the Interstate Bridge is a national priority that cannot wait," said ODOT Director Kris Strickler. "This is a huge milestone for the project that was made possible by leveraging the strong commitments already made by both states and the ongoing partnership and commitment of everyone involved at the local, regional and federal levels."

These competitive federal grants are an essential piece of the funding needed to help replace the bridge and other transportation improvements within the corridor. Program officials also are pursuing approximately $1 billion in funding through the Federal Transit Administration's Capital Investment Grant program. Oregon and Washington have each also committed $1 billion and authorized tolling to help fund the project.

"The historic federal investment now committed to the program is a clear indication of how significant replacing our aging transportation system is to the region and the nation," said WSDOT Secretary Roger Millar. "The unwavering support and collaboration of regional partners, state leaders, our congressional delegation and our federal partners demonstrates that this critical effort has the support needed at all levels to continue the momentum needed to see it through to completion."

More information about the federal grant program, including Large Bridge Project Grants and Bridge Planning Grants, is available on FHWA's Bridge Investment Program website.

About the bi-state Interstate Bridge Replacement program

Replacing the aging Interstate Bridge across the Columbia River with a modern, seismically resilient, multimodal structure that provides improved mobility for people, goods and services is a high priority for Oregon and Washington. Governors and legislative leadership in both states directed the Oregon Department of Transportation and Washington State Department of Transportation to launch the bi-state Interstate Bridge Replacement program to lead this work, recognizing that needed safety and transportation improvements to the existing Interstate Bridge remain unaddressed. Program development centers equity and follows a transparent, data-driven process that includes collaboration with local, state, federal and tribal partners. Visit the program website at www.interstatebridge.org.

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