Politics Transportation News

I-5 Bridge Replacement Cost and Timeline Delayed to 2026

Lawmakers from Washington and Oregon are awaiting a new cost estimate for replacing the I-5 bridge across the Columbia River, which is delayed due to pending Coast Guard approval on the bridge design. The decision on whether the bridge will have a fixed or movable span significantly impacts the project's cost, potentially increasing it by over half a billion dollars. The project faces rising construction costs, with estimates now exceeding $8 billion, and is contingent on federal approvals and environmental reports before construction can begin around 2032-2033.