Project Overview

The Columbia River Crossing is a bridge, transit and highway improvement project for five miles of I-5 from State Route 500 in Vancouver, Washington, to approximately Victory Boulevard in Portland, Oregon. CRC is studying a replacement I-5 bridge over the Columbia River with light rail extending to Clark College. In July 2008, this alternative was selected by local project partners as providing the best opportunities to relieve congestion, improve safety and freight mobility and increase travel options on I-5 while meeting community needs.

Purpose and Need

To address the transportation problems on I-5, a mix combination of bridge, public transit and highway solutions is needed. If we do not move forward with a comprehensive long-term solution now, the problems will only get worse. This project will address:

Growing travel demand and congestion
Impaired freight movement
Limited public transportation operation, connectivity and reliability
Safety and vulnerability to collisions
Substandard pedestrian and bicycle facilities
Seismic vulnerability

What are the Challenges?

Traffic congestion at the I-5 bridge currently lasts six hours and is expected to increase to more than seven hours southbound and eight hours northbound by the year 2030.
On-time freight deliveries are compromised by congestion, hampering productivity and efficiency.
Buses traveling I-5 between Vancouver and Portland get stuck in traffic and can become less reliable.
Safety is deteriorating.
- About one crash occurs daily – a rate that is two times higher than similar highways in Oregon and Washington. Crashes will grow with more congestion.
- Many collisions can be attributed to short on-and off-ramps, inadequate spaces for merging and weaving, and poor sight distances on and near the I-5 bridge.
A significant earthquake could cause bending, buckling or collapse of the I-5 bridge itself or lead to soil liquefaction under the bridge

Current Status

In July 2008, local project partners selected a replacement bridge with light rail to Clark College as the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA). The LPA was chosen based on information in the Draft EIS, a recommendation from the 39-member Task Force and public comment. Having an LPA demonstrates regional consensus about continuing project development and refining the design of one alternative.

In March 2009, the CRC Project Sponsors Council recommended the replacement bridges have three through lanes and three add/drop lanes in each direction. Over the next year, other key decisions will be made on project elements, including: financing and tolling, design of the I-5 bridge, pedestrian and bicycle pathway, light rail route and station location and design, sustainability plan and mitigation plan. Additional analysis of the environmental and community effects of the LPA will be included in a Final EIS, expected in 2010.