Home » Current Topics » Independent Review Panel

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 work efforts being conducted under the guidance of the Project Sponsors Council.

The panel has reported its findings to the governors. The final report may be accessed here.

More information about the Independent Review Panel may be viewed at www.crcreview.org.

 

Panel Members

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

For more information about the panel or to provide comments to the panel, please contact the administrator, Jennifer Vachon at crcpanel@tomwarne.com or at the address below:

CRC Independent Review Panel
PO Box 11351
Olympia, WA  98508