The push to replace an aging bridge that’s been a bottleneck on Interstate 5 between Oregon and Washington has cleared a major hurdle. The Interstate Bridge Replacement Program announced on Wednesday the completion of its federal environmental review process. That approval will kickstart construction on the long-delayed replacement of the Interstate 5 bridge between Oregon and Washington.
The Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration issued an approval known as an amended record of decision for the project. It marks the completion of the federal National Environmental Policy Act review.
FILE - An aerial view of the Interstate 5 bridge connecting Portland and Vancouver in an undated provided image. The years-long push to replace the bridge reached a major milestone on Wednesday.
Courtesy of the Oregon Department of Transportation
“It allows us to advance to construction on anything that is covered within that environmental document,” said Interstate Bridge Replacement interim program administrator Carley Francis.
Specifically, Wednesday’s approval will allow the project to remove the existing bridges, and add an auxiliary lane, connections to Hayden Island and State Route 14, and space for light rail on the new bridge.
“This milestone is proof of what Oregon and Washington can accomplish when we work together toward a shared goal. While there is still significant work ahead, I’m confident that our partnership will carry us through to a bridge that serves everyone well for generations to come,” Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek said in a statement.
Washington state Gov. Bob Ferguson echoed those sentiments on social media while celebrating the completion of the environmental review.
“This approval is a major milestone that allows us to get moving” Ferguson said. “We are committed to building this bridge. I’m excited to get started.”
A final record of decision will allow the project to move forward in other important ways. It will allow bridge planners to hire a contractor in 2027. That company will be in charge of replacing the bridge structure and building the corresponding on- and off-ramp connections.
A more detailed construction plan will also clarify the full cost of the project. Estimates ballooned earlier this year to a range of between $13.5 billion and $15.2 billion. The current target is approximately $14.4 billion.
“That will be really valuable to understanding how good our estimate is and whether or not we have any additional funds to work with or if it was spot on or if there’s other things to navigate,” Francis said.
FILE - The Interstate-5 bridge in Vancouver, Wash., on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025.
Saskia Hatvany / OPB
The Interstate Bridge Replacement has been the subject of intense criticism in recent months. After the estimated price tag for the project climbed by 140% in March, Washington state officials said that higher cost would result in funding shortages and would leave less money to extend light rail stops into downtown Vancouver.
But pressure is building to replace the current 109-year-old structure, which would not be able to withstand a major earthquake. The bridge’s narrow size also creates a bottleneck on I-5, delaying traffic and sometimes stopping it altogether when the bridge lift is raised to allow ships to pass below on the Columbia River. It also lacks dedicated lanes for mass transit and provides limited space for bicycles and pedestrians.
The most recent plan would terminate a light rail connection to Portland where the bridge reaches the downtown Vancouver waterfront at a stop 90 feet above city streets. More funding would be needed to fulfill previous plans to extend its tracks several blocks to the downtown Vancouver library.
The new environmental approval will allow for the full 5-mile length of the bridge project to be built, including light rail into downtown Vancouver, although Washington officials will still have to find the money to pay for their share.
