Bob Ortblad scrutinizes IBR ramp design
Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are those of the author alone and may not reflect the editorial position of ClarkCountyToday.com
Three years ago, I created and posted a graphic of a possible “Shared Use Path.” The graphic accurately depicted the difficulty of a 100-foot climb to the bridge level. Interstate Bridge Replacement Program (IBR) officials were not happy with my depiction and promised to consider future multiple ramp designs.
The latest of these designs was presented at an IBR workshop on August 27, 2025, by Knight Architects, a costly firm from London. Knight’s design has a grade of 4%, is about a half-mile-long, with turns totaling 810-degrees.
A small model of the shared use path was presented to an IBR architectural advisory group in October.
IBR October newsletter https://mailchi.mp/interstatebridge/ibroctober2025newsletter
Knight Architects’ ramp design may have been inspired by a Disney Cruise water slide. For an average walker or biker, the distance, grade, and turns will make the climb exhausting and disorienting. The descent will be terrifying. Knight Architects has a $1.4 million contract; how much was wasted on this flawed design and model?
Bob Ortblad MSCE, MBA
Seattle
- 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.
