Tom Warne Report, 9 October 2013
Oregon – The Columbia River Crossing, thought to be dead last summer when Washington lawmakers did not approve funding, is showing new signs of life. Oregon vowed that it would not let 10 years of planning and $170 million spent in planning go to waste. State officials are still looking at whether the “Oregon-only” project is financially feasible, with a scaled down project price tag of $2.7 billion.
In the original plans, Oregon and Washington were each to commit to $450 million to the overall $3.6 billion cost, in order for the federal government to chip in the $850 cost of light rail. The rest of the funding was to come from bridge tolls.
On Sept. 26, federal officials confirmed that an “Oregon-only” project was consistent with previous environmental analysis and would not require additional review. The same day, the C-TRAN board of directors agreed to a plan to operate light rail in Vancouver, which allows the agency to move forward on a set of draft agreements with Tri-Met to fund a light rail extension to Clark College.
The following day, on Sept. 27, the U.S. Coast Guard granted a general bridge permit to build a new bridge at a 116-foot height.
“This is a major step forward that recognizes the importance of this project and its economic benefits to the state, region and nation,” said Matt Garrett, director of the Oregon Department of Transportation. “Getting the go-ahead from the Coast Guard meets a key viability requirement and makes the project’s path forward clearer.”
If the Oregon plan continues to progress, construction of the first phase could begin in 2014. The project would include interchange and roadway upgrades in Oregon and constructing the river crossing, the SR 14 interchange and light rail to Vancouver. The scheduled completion is 2022.
