I-5 Expansion Over Columbia River Stumbles Forward with Federal Greenlight

The Interstate Bridge Replacement project between Portland and Vancouver received federal environmental approval on July 1, clearing the way for its first funded phase. The $13.5–$15.2 billion bi-state project will replace aging I-5 bridges over the Columbia River, but faces tensions over funding priorities, light rail alignment, tolling impacts on traffic diversion, and lane configuration—with Oregon and Washington officials split on whether the bridge should be larger and whether to prioritize transit or highway expansion.