Leadership change and sharp drops in transit projections raise new questions about the future of the I-5 Bridge project
The Interstate Bridge Replacement (IBR) Program is facing renewed scrutiny after Administrator Greg Johnson announced he will step down at the end of the year and the project team slashed its transit ridership projections by 84 percent. The updated figures, along with major cuts to operations and maintenance estimates, have fueled public frustration and legislative concern over the accuracy of the project’s earlier claims. Critics argue that years of planning and hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars have failed to produce credible answers about ridership demand or congestion relief. With confidence in the project waning, this week’s poll asks: what should happen next for the I-5 Bridge replacement effort?
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Opinion: The IBR guts transit ridership projections by 84 percent and O&M costs by over half
John Ley writes that the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program has slashed its projected transit ridership by 84 percent, raising questions about accuracy, leadership, an...
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- 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.
