VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) — The Coast Guard says the planned new Portland-Vancouver Interstate 5 bridge would be too low for Columbia River ship traffic.
The Coast Guard official responsible for issuing a bridge permit, Randall Overton in Seattle, said this week that 95 feet of clearance won’t meet the needs of current and future commerce.
The Columbian reports (http://is.gd/JF7dTe ) adding height could add up to $150 million to the $3.5 billion project.
Columbia River Crossing Director Nancy Boyd says the news from the Coast Guard comes as a surprise. She says the staff thought it had an agreement that 95 feet would be acceptable.
