Bob Ortblad says it is doubtful the Federal Transit Administration will fund IBR’s $1 billion grant application for this insanity
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
Economist Joe Cartwright and Willamette Week have exposed the $13.6 billion costs that the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program (IBR) has been hiding. One of the most insane costs is $177 million for a Waterfront Park & Ride Station. Consultants plan to cut a fat hog, with design and project management estimated at 44% of $177 million, $78 million.
In 2024 Gramor Development opened an 829-space garage on Vancouver’s waterfront. The 2026 assessed valuation of this garage (less retail space) is $27 million, about $33,000 per parking space. The IBR is planning a 570-space Waterfront Park & Ride Stations at an estimated cost of $177 million, about $310,000 per parking space. This is over nine times the cost of Gramor Development spaces.
A private company like Gramor Development would never make this investment; a daily parking rate of $250 would be needed to cover capital and operating costs. However, the IBR wants a Waterfront Park & Ride to be free or cost much less than the market rate of $25/day, only a block away.
The IBR is also planning a $150 million, 770-space Evergreen Station. The IBR is planning these Park & Ride garages in a desperate effort to create ridership to justify $2 billion for light rail at Waterfront and Evergreen stations. It is doubtful the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will fund IBR’s $1 billion grant application for this insanity.
Park & Ride garages would also be a visual blight on downtown Vancouver, increase I-5 traffic, downtown congestion, urban sprawl, and Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT).
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.
