Rep. John Ley says bill would let Oregon off the hook for $1.6 billion in borrowed funds to be paid back by tolling revenues
Ken Vance, editor
Clark County Today
The Washington State House Transportation Committee will hold a hearing Monday (Feb. 24) at 1:30 p.m. on House Bill 1958. The bill, co-sponsored by Rep. Sharon Wylie (Democrat, 49th District), concerns the interstate bridge replacement toll bond authority.
According to opponents of the bill, HB 1958 would put 100 percent of the $1.6 billion in borrowed funds, to be backed by tolling revenues, on Washington residents.
“There is no mention of Oregon in the bill’s language,’’ said Rep. John Ley (Republican, 18th District), a member of the House Transportation Committee.
Ley pointed out that the I-5 Bridge replacement project is theoretically a two-state project, where each state shares in the financial obligations. However, HB 1958 appears to let Oregon “completely off the hook,’’ Ley said.
“Furthermore, ‘if’ there is not enough IBR tolling revenue, then this bill allows WSDOT to use revenues from other tolled facilities to pay back the obligation,’’ Ley said. “And if that’s not enough, then they could use gas tax revenues. And if that’s not enough, they could use taxpayer money from the General Fund. It’s a horrible bill on many levels.’’
Ley urges concerned Clark County citizens to give their input on HB 1958 that would allow Washington state to borrow $1.6 Billion, to be paid back by tolls. This CCT story explains rising toll rates in Washington state, the very high cost of collecting tolls, and high interest payments paid to financiers on huge loans like this.
Residents can register a position on the bill at this link
See the bill webpage at this link
Ley encourages well-informed citizens to sign up and testify either in person or remotely.
- Goodbye, bumpy ride on I-5 in Vancouver
Three coordinated WSDOT projects will improve more than 6 miles of I-5 in Clark County, backed by a $25 million investment. - Nighttime work on I-5 between Ridgefield and Woodland will replace damaged concrete panels Sept. 14-19
Granite Construction will close right and center lanes nightly on I-5 between mileposts 9.5 and 21.5 through Sept. 19. - County seeks volunteers to serve on the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
Clark County seeks two volunteers, including one youth member, for its Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee; deadline is Oct. 11, 2026. - Washington Rep. John Ley warns ballooning bridge budget needs reality check
Rep. John Ley says the IBR ballooned from a $44M contract to a $13B–$15B project, with phase one still $2.2B short. - POLL: The IBR project is described as only 30% designed and 30% funded after more than six years of work. How confident are you in the current management of the IBR program?
IBR’s cost has climbed from $3.2–$4.8B to $15.2B while the project remains 30% designed and 30% funded.
