I-5 bridge replacement

Since its launch in 2020, the Washington Department of Transportation and Oregon Department of Transportation have been collaborating with regional legislators on the Interstate Bridge Replacement (IBR) Program. The goal of the project is to replace the I-5 bridge connecting southwest Washington to Portland over the Columbia River.

The age of the bridge alone raises safety concerns; one section is 67 years old, while the other has been in use for over a century. Additionally, the current I-5 bridge rests upon a foundation made of timber piles set in sandy soil, leaving the entire structure vulnerable to collapse in the case of a major earthquake. The design for the replacement bridge includes a seismic retrofit that will meet modern design standards for withstanding earthquake events.

Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez states that replacing the 1-5 bridge is “critical for strengthening our local economy, honoring the trades, and keeping drivers, commuters, and truckers safe and on the move.” The existing bridge serves as a significant link in both local and regional economies, yet is notorious for its traffic congestion. Hazards such as narrow lanes and no shoulders limit the structure’s functionality for vehicles while simultaneously threatening the safety of pedestrians and bikers.

Federal grants have been awarded to help Washington and Oregon pay bridge-related expenses, but plans to introduce tolls on the bridge as early as 2026 are also underway. Potential toll exemptions for low-income individuals are being considered.

For those who wonder how their travel plans or daily commute will be impacted by this development, the official IBR website promises that the existing bridge will remain open to travelers as the new bridge is built alongside its west side. Construction is estimated to last for five to seven years and is scheduled to begin in 2026. In the meantime, the IBR Program welcomes input from Washington and Oregon residents and displays a calendar of community involvement activities on its website.