Project Description

The Columbia River Crossing (CRC) project is a comprehensive, long-term transportation solution that addresses congestion, safety and mobility problems on I-5 between Portland and Vancouver.

Without action, traffic jams will increase to 15 hours a day by 2030, collision rates will double, and the bridge will continue to have a lift span and be vulnerable to collapse in an earthquake. The essential elements of the five-mile project are:

Replacement I-5 bridge
Light rail extension to Vancouver
Rebuilding five closely-spaced interchanges
Wider pedestrian and bicycle path
Electronic tolling

Once complete, the region will benefit from no bridge lifts, less congestion on I-5 and local streets, earthquake protection, fewer collisions, and more travel choices.

Locally Preferred Alternative

In July 2008, local partners reached consensus on the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) from five analyzed in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The selection was based on the technical analysis in the Draft EIS, 1,600 public comments and recommendations of the CRC Task Force. Each local project partner adopted a resolution to select the replacement bridge with light rail alternative because it offers the best opportunity to meet project goals and serve community needs. Since then, ongoing engineering and design work has occurred.

In 2009, the CRC Project Sponsors Council (PSC) directed project staff to analyze the project for potential refinements that could produce cost savings while maintaining the project’s environmental, economic, transportation, and safety benefits. After meeting with project partners and reviewing various options, the CRC staff prepared a refinement recommendation that was presented to the Project Sponsors Council. The refinements included a savings of up to $650 million to highway and bridge plans and include some phasing options. The potential phasing options are reflected in the LPA Phase 1 project design.

In August 2010, the PSC unanimously agreed on a set of recommendations to the governors of Washington and Oregon for moving ahead with development and construction of the I-5 bridge project. The recommendations include designing a permanent 10-lane replacement bridge with full safety shoulders over the Columbia River and changing the Hayden Island interchange design to address several community concerns. These recommendations came as result of work completed by an integrated group of staff members from all agencies represented on the council, as well as the ports of Portland and Vancouver.

Replacement Bridge

A new river crossing will replace the existing Interstate Bridge structures to carry I-5 traffic, light rail, pedestrians and bicyclists. The crossing will have 10 lanes (three through lanes plus two lanes to connect interchanges in each travel direction) on two bridge structures. The new structures will allow marine traffic to travel without calling for a bridge lift and will meet current earthquake standards. The two structure crossing will have light rail tracks below the southbound bridge deck and a bicycle and pedestrian pathway below the northbound bridge deck.

The existing bridges would be removed once the new bridges open to traffic.

Two structure concept for replacement I-5 bridge.

Transit

The light rail system will be extended from the Expo Center MAX Station in Portland to a station and park and ride near the Marshall/Luepke Center and Clark College in Vancouver. Light rail will be located beneath the deck of the new southbound highway bridge.

The 2.9 mile light rail extension will connect to future express and local bus systems to expand transit access between Vancouver and Portland. Express buses will continue to serve long distance commuters by providing direct access between Clark County and downtown Portland during peak commute hours. Local bus service in Vancouver will connect to light rail and continue to serve Vancouver riders.

Bicyclists and Pedestrians

Pedestrians and bicyclists will have improved access and connections in north Portland and Vancouver with new and improved multi-use paths, bike lanes and sidewalks. Across the river, pedestrians and bicyclists will travel along a wider and safer path than exists today. The new path over the river will be 20 feet wide compared to today's four feet. It will be covered by the northbound deck with open sides to maximize views. The pathway will also connect to regional trails and facilities via new and improved pathways near I-5.

Highway and Interchanges

Interchanges within the project area would be improved for safety and freight mobility through significant rebuilding, including improving links to and from arterials and state highways, connecting interchanges via add/drop lanes and lengthening on/off ramps. The following interchanges will be improved: Marine Drive, Hayden Island/Jantzen Beach, SR 14/City Center, Fourth Plain, and Mill Plain.

What's Next?

Ongoing public input on highway and light rail designs will be critical to the project development process. Additional analysis of the environmental and community effects of the project will be included in a Final Environmental Impact Statement, expected in 2011.