There have been quite a few letters and stories about the new Interstate 5 bridge project, but not as much about the costs and finances. For some time now the estimate given is $2.63 billion to $3.76 billion, with some predictions of it reaching much higher. Only several billions or so difference. How can anyone possibly plan the financing and tolls without a better idea of what it will be costing? The frequently mentioned cost of light rail is about $850 million from the federal government.
Given the financial situation of many bridge users, the cities and the states involved and the feds, it seems the prudent thing to do would be to build the bridge, drop the light rail for now, and stretch out the freeway interchanges.
Roy Morgan
Vancouver
