Project History

2001-2002:

I-5 Transportation and Trade Partnership

In 2001, the governors of Oregon and Washington formed a bi-state partnership to study transportation problems and possible solutions for the I-5 corridor. The Partnership recommended fixing three bottlenecks in its 2002 Strategic Plan:

I-5 at Salmon Creek in Clark County (completed in 2006)
I-5 at Delta Park in Portland (construction began in 2008)
I-5 at the Columbia River (this project)

Spring 2005:

CRC Project Begins

A 39-member CRC Task Force was formed in early 2005 to advise the CRC project on key decisions. The CRC Task Force consisted of leaders from a broad cross section of Oregon and Washington communities, including public agencies, businesses, civic organizations, neighborhoods, freight, commuter and environmental groups.

Fall 2005:

Defining the Problems and Potential Solutions

Using data developed by the I-5 Transportation and Trade Partnership, CRC worked with the public, tribal governments and partner agencies to define the primary problems in the project area: congestion, dangerous travel conditions, and travel demand that exceeds capacity. Once the problems were identified, 23 river crossing and 14 transit ideas were proposed as potential solutions, and evaluation criteria were developed.

Spring 2006:

Narrowing the Ideas

Continuing discussions with the Task Force and community, the CRC project team studied the river crossing and transit ideas, which included a tunnel under the Columbia River, a third highway crossing, and commuter rail. As a result of this discussion and analysis, the ideas were further narrowed to a set of four river crossing options and five public transit options.

Spring – Summer 2006:

Testing the Preliminary Alternatives

CRC packaged the most promising bridge and transit options into a dozen preliminary alternatives. Each alternative included several transportation components: bridge, highway, transit, freight, bicycle and pedestrian improvements, and strategies to reduce travel demand. These preliminary alternatives were tested against the evaluation criteria. The results highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of the components.

Fall 2006 – Spring 2007:

Identifying Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Alternatives

In collaboration with partner agencies, the CRC project team identified the best performing bridge and transit options and recommended these for further evaluation in the EIS process. CRC held an extensive public discussion to gather comments on the proposal in early 2007. With guidance from the CRC Task Force and the public, five alternatives were recommended for further analysis in the Draft EIS.

The five alternatives:

1. No build (for comparison purposes)
2. Replacement bridge with bus rapid transit
3. Replacement bridge with light rail
4. Supplemental bridge with bus rapid transit
5. Supplemental bridge with light rail

Spring 2007 – Spring 2008:

Analyzing the Five Alternatives

The CRC project analyzed each alternative to determine how well it relieves congestion and improves safety and mobility on I-5. On May 2, 2008, the project released its Draft EIS for public and agency review. This document describes the potential effects of five alternatives on community, natural and historic resources.

Summer 2008:

Selecting the Locally Preferred Alternative

The six local project partners considered the Draft EIS, public comment and the CRC Task Force recommendation to select a Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) in July 2008. The partner agencies endorsed a replacement bridge with light rail extending to Clark College in Vancouver. This endorsement demonstrates local support for further project development.

Fall 2008 – Fall 2009:

Completing the Final EIS

Additional public input, project design and analysis will be reflected in a Final EIS, expected in late 2009. The Final EIS will describe the additional analysis on potential community and environmental effects of the project and will include responses to comments received during the Draft EIS public comment period.