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Southbound I-5 bridge closing 3 more nights

The southbound span of the Interstate Bridge will close for three more nights beginning tonight while Oregon Department of Transportation crews continue counterweight repairs.

Bridge Project Timeline

  • 1917
    1917 - The original bridge

    On Feb. 14, a headline in the Vancouver Daily Columbian heralds the opening of a new bridge across the Columbia River at Vancouver: “With iron bands we clasp hands,” replacing ferry service in place since 1870. Plans for the bridge took root in 1905, when the world’s fair in Portland caused massive traffic jams of people waiting for the steam ferry. The bridge, which cost $941,000, opened with a toll of 5 cents. The tolls generated money for repaying construction bonds, but about half the revenue was used to improve public roads elsewhere. The toll ended in 1928. The original span carries northbound traffic on what is today Interstate 5.

  • 1958
    1958 - A worker on the new bridge

    The second span, a twin to the first drawbridge, opens on July 1 at a cost of $14.5 million. Original span taken out of service until January of 1960 while workers replace one portion of the span and raise it by 30 feet to match the “hump” in the new bridge, which allows more boats to pass without having to block auto traffic for bridge lifts. Both bridges reopen in 1960 with a toll of 20 cents for cars and 60 cents for trucks. Toll ends on Nov. 1, 1966.

  • 1982
    1982 - I-205 Bridge Construction

    The federal government underwrites the bulk of the $175 million cost of the toll-free Glenn Jackson Bridge, which opens after five years of construction on Dec. 15, 1982. Washington’s portion of I-205, just under 10 miles, opened in 1976. The bridge opening corresponds to Oregon finishing its 36-mile stretch of the beltway looping around the east side of the Portland metro area.

  • 1999
    1999 - Bridge traffic

    Growing traffic congestion prompts Washington and Oregon transportation agencies to examine I-5 trade corridor from the freeway’s interchange with Interstate 84 in Portland to I-205 in Salmon Creek. Study concludes that highway, transit, freight and passenger rail improvements will be needed to maintain the region’s economic competitiveness. The most economically significant portion of the corridor straddles the Columbia River, where the bulk of the metro area’s industrial land base and shipping centers are clustered. In 2002, a bistate task force prioritizes fixing three bottlenecks in the corridor: Expanding I-5 to three lanes through Salmon Creek (finished in 2006); fixing Delta Park bottleneck in Portland (finished in 2010); and improving I-5 at the river.

  • 2008
    2008 - I-5 Bridge Transport

    A new 39-member bistate task force narrows potential improvements to variations of a supplemental or replacement bridge with light rail or a bus rapid transit system. In late June and July, six project sponsors conditionally endorse a “locally preferred alternative” consisting of a replacement bridge with an extension of Portland’s light rail transit system. Local sponsors include the Vancouver and Portland city councils, the Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Council, the Metro regional government in the Portland area, C-Tran and TriMet.

  • 2010
    2010 - Bridge Rally

    Criticism mounts over details of design, funding and scope of $3.6 billion project. Govs. Chris Gregoire and Ted Kulongoski respond by appointing an independent review team, followed by a Bridge Expert Review Panel to address specific concerns about the 10-lane river crossing’s cost, durability and “underwhelming” appearance from Vancouver’s revitalizing downtown.

  • Read More

Southbound I-5 bridge closing 3 more nights | By The Columbian

Interstate 5 Bridge closure planned tonight | By Oregon Dept. of Transportation

Southbound I-5 Bridge to close Saturday night | By The Columbian

Republican lawmakers question bridge height | By Andrea Damewood

Portland neighbors threaten action against CRC | By The Columbian

  • CRC Expenses

A set of documents provided by the Columbia River Crossing with reports, expenditures, etc.

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  • I-5 Bridge