Independent Review Panel

Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski and Washington Governor Chris Gregoire convened an Independent Review Panel (IRP) for the Columbia River Crossing Project in April 2010 to ensure that key project study assumptions and methods are reasonable for the
CRC project.

The panel was asked to:

• Assess the implementation plan for the CRC project.
• Review the financial plan for the project.
• Review and evaluate post-construction
  performance measures.

The panel worked independently of other CRC work efforts being conducted at that time.

The panel issued its report to the governors July 30, 2010.

In a Sept. 2010 letter to the Governors, the Washington and Oregon transportation departments accepted the panel’s findings and 30 recommendations included in the IRP report. Many have since been implemented. Completion of all the recommendations will move the project closer toward final design and construction.

More information about the Independent Review Panel may be viewed
on their website.

Panel Members

Panelists included national experts with experience in design and management, cost estimation, mitigation planning, and management of large urban transportation projects. More information on panelists is available here.

Tom Warne, P.E., Chair
Areas of Expertise: Project financing and delivery; context sensitive design
Rodney L. Brown, J.D.
Areas of Expertise: Northwest environmental issues; environmental law and land use; National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
E. Robert Ferguson
Areas of Expertise: Bridge construction; contracting methods
Dr. Patricia D. Galloway, P.E., CPENG, PMP, MRICS, CFCC
Areas of Expertise: Performance measures; project and risk management; mega-project planning and delivery
Diana Mendes, AICP
Areas of Expertise: Federally funded transit project planning; environmental analysis and management
Dr. Michael D. Meyer, P.E.
Areas of Expertise: Transportation engineering; public works economics and finance; environmental impact assessments and greenhouse gas analysis
Timothy Ray Neuman, P.E.
Areas of Expertise: Context Sensitive Design and Solutions; urban transportation design
Mary Lou Ralls, P.E.
Areas of Expertise: Bridge design and construction

Independent Review Panel Meetings and Materials

At the request of the panel, CRC provided notebooks describing the project’s background and current plans. The notebook materials are available here:

Table of Contents

• TAB A: Independent Review Panel Overview (88 K)
• TAB B: Columbia River Crossing Project Overview (700 K)
• TAB C: Regional I-5 Needs Assessments (1999-2002) (7 M)
• TAB D: Columbia River Crossing Background (2004-2006) (7 M)
• TAB E: Creating 12 Preliminary Alternatives (2006-2007) (5 M)
• TAB F: 5 Draft Environmental Impact Statement Alternatives (2007-2008) (4 M)
• TAB G: The Locally Preferred Alternative (2008) (6 M)
• TAB H: Locally Preferred Alternative Follow-up (2008-2009) (2 M)
• TAB I: Locally Preferred Alternative Refinement Process and Recommendation (2009 - 2010) (6 M)
• TAB J: Financing Plan (2010) TAB K: Current Issues (January 2010 – Present) (2 M)
• TAB K: Current Issues (January 2010 – Present) (700 K)
• TAB L: Public Engagement and Community Advisory Groups (2005-2010) - Part 1 (10 M) and Part 2 (11 MB)

Independent Review Panel public meetings occurred:

• May 19 and 20, 2010
• June 1 and 2, 2010
• June 17, 2010
• July 7, 2010

Panel work sessions occurred on June 18 and July 8, 2010.