The fact that ongoing archaeology digs at Fort Vancouver are uncovering both the original military and Hudson’s Bay forts becomes another compelling reason to construct a massive Interstate 5 bridge that will allow the current location of downtown Vancouver to reconnect with its historic past, without being cut off by a ground-level concrete interstate highway.
Regarding historic Pearson Field, many military missions are retasked to fulfill new missions, and so perhaps the historic airpark could become a base for helicopters and/or ultra-lights, thereby eliminating the height of the bridge as a major aviation issue. Keep the current bridge for local access, and have the “Big Bridge” begin elevating near Mill Plain Boulevard and perhaps extending south past Hayden Island.
Just as the Golden Gate Bridge defines San Francisco, this bridge should define our values and culture for the next 100 years. Go big on the bridge and send our positive message to the world.
Donald Larson
Salem, Ore.
