July 12, 2024

Oregon Delegation Announces $1.49 Billion Federal Investment for Interstate Bridge Replacement Project

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, along with U.S. Reps. Earl Blumenauer and Suzanne Bonamici, today announced an additional federal investment of $1.49 billion for the Interstate-5 Bridge replacement project.

“Today’s federal investment, the largest investment in the country under the Bridge Investment Program, is great news for commuters and freight traffic in Oregon and throughout the Northwest,” Wyden said. “Jobs and the Oregon economy are big winners with a modern interstate bridge. I’m all for seeing this vital project through to completion with ongoing help of federal tax dollars - but it needs to happen without any new tolling costs landing on Oregon motorists, many of whom are already battling to make ends meet.”

“What a historic moment for Oregon! The I-5 Bridge Replacement Project receiving a nearly $1.5 billion USDOT investment is a big deal. It is not only a game changer for Oregonians who will soon have expanded transportation options to cross the Columbia River, but also a huge win for our economy as the project will generate many good-paying union jobs,” Merkley said. “This latest federal funding from the landmark Bipartisan Infrastructure Law brings us closer than ever to realizing this long-sought project that will boost seismic resiliency in the region and ensure safer, faster, and more reliable transportation for generations to come.”

“This is a monumental investment for our region,” Blumenauer said. “Today, we are a billion and a half dollars closer to completing our task of connecting Portland and Vancouver with light-rail, zero-emission buses, and pedestrian and cycling infrastructure. Yet again, Democrats are delivering. This would not be possible without the Biden-Harris Administration’s zeal to rebuild and renew America.”

“This massive investment in the Interstate Bridge Project is great news for Oregonians and people throughout the Pacific NW,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. “This funding represents the culmination of years of advocacy to improve critical infrastructure. It will bring scores of good jobs for skilled workers who will build a more resilient bridge that meets the needs of our growing economy and changing climate. I’m grateful to have worked with my colleagues in the Oregon and Washington delegations to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which is the source of this funding.”

In December, Wyden and Merkley sent a letter to Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttegieg writing: “Building this bridge replacement will improve one of the worst truck bottlenecks on the West Coast, increase safety, travel reliability and multimodal travel options along I-5. The project would also deliver seismic resiliency and deliver much-needed expanded light rail transit service. It is vital that a new bridge withstand a major earthquake, provide access for travelers and life-saving services and expand multimodal solutions for improved mobility, traffic and climate benefits for the Portland Metro region. A new I-5 bridge will be built and used every day by hardworking Oregonians – some struggling every month to make rent or pay for childcare. Significant federal investment in this project should offset costs anticipated to be borne by these Oregonians and ensure they are not stuck shouldering indefinite maintenance costs that make this critical infrastructure possible. To that end, we will continue to work in Congress to shift more of the cost of projects to high-income earners and corporations rather than directly on to low-income families.”

The $1.49 billion investment is in addition to a $600 million MEGA Grant awarded to ODOT in December to go toward a seismically resilient replacement of the I-5 bridge over the Columbia River, connecting Vancouver, Washington to Portland, Oregon. The new bridge will include transit improvements such as additional light-rail transit service, enhanced zero-emission express bus service, and the expansion of active transportation networks.

“This grant award underscores the strong federal support we have in replacing the Interstate Bridge, “said ODOT Director Kris Strickler. “It is a testament to the ongoing partnership and commitment of everyone involved, and the ability for that collaboration to provide multimodal transportation choices for our region. I-5 and the Interstate Bridge are essential to the prosperity of those who travel through our region and those who call it home. I am proud of the work being done by both states to ensure that the Interstate Bridge serves people, however they choose to travel, for generations to come.”