PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — One casualty of the coming federal budget crunch could be a new $3 billion bridge carrying Interstate 5 across the Columbia River.
The project’s sponsors acknowledge that the bridge project is going to take another whack. At worst, though, the cutback in federal spending could force officials to shelve $130 million worth of plans, or to scale back the project. Its backers say they’re not ready to consider either option.
The current I-5 bridge linking Oregon and Washington is considered at risk in an earthquake, and its tie-ups infuriate commuters and truckers.
But Democratic Congressman Peter DeFazio, who is a senior Democrat on the House transportation committee, is pessimistic about the chances for federal funding. And project officials say it can’t be built without federal dollars.
