Citizen members of advisory committees to be announced before Jan 25 meeting
Over the next two weeks, there will be three separate public meetings regarding the Interstate Bridge Replacement Project (IBRP). These are for the Executive Steering Group (ESG), the Community Advisory Group (CAG), and the Equity Advisory Group (EAG). All will be “virtual” meetings and citizens can participate either via Zoom or watch on Youtube.
Two of those groups are “advisory groups” that will include citizens and representatives of various organizations on both sides of the Columbia River. The IBRP staff expects to release the names of the individual community members on these two groups before Jan 25.
First up is the ESG who oversees the entire project. They will meet from 1-3 p.m., Wed., Jan. 20. This 12-member steering group provides regional leadership recommendations on key program issues of importance to the community. It includes elected officials and senior representatives from both state departments of transportation, TriMet, C-TRAN, Oregon Metro, the Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Council, the cities of Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington, and the Ports of Portland and Vancouver. These agencies have a direct delivery or operational role in the integrated, multimodal transportation system around the Interstate Bridge. A community representative from each state also serves on the group.
Next will be the EAG, who will meet from 5:30-7:30 p.m., Mon., Jan. 25. The EAG includes approximately 30 members with equity expertise and/or lived experience, with balanced representation from Oregon and Washington. This group makes recommendations regarding processes, policies, and decisions on program development work that may affect historically underrepresented and/or underserved communities. The selection process for members is underway, and representatives will be announced prior to the Jan. 25 meeting.
Finally, the CAG will meet from 4-6 p.m., Wed., Jan. 27. The 30 members make up the CAG, including organizations and individuals representing a diverse range of stakeholder perspectives, with balanced representation from both Oregon and Washington. This group provides input and develops recommendations to ensure that program outcomes reflect community needs, values and priorities. The selection process for members is underway, with representatives to be announced ahead of the Jan. 27 meeting.
According to the IBRP, each group will consist of approximately 30 members, acting as individual community members or as representatives of organizations. Approximately eight at-large members for the CAG and approximately 10 at-large members for the EAG will be selected through the application process. The remainder of the representatives in both groups will be appointed by a selection committee in coordination with agency partners.
A joint orientation to provide background on the program and process will be held on Saturday, Jan. 30 for members of the Community Advisory Group and Equity Advisory Group. This meeting will take place via Zoom from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and it will be livestreamed on YouTube for the public.
Public input on agenda items at regular meetings of the steering and advisory groups is welcome and can be shared via email, phone or online during each full meeting. Email comments to info@interstatebridge.org with “Public Comment” in the subject line, noting which group(s) should receive the comment.
Citizens can also call and state “Public Comment” in a phone message:.
o (503) 897-9218 (Oregon)
o (360) 859-0494 (Washington)
o (888) 503-6735 (toll-free)
Meeting facilitators will provide an opportunity for online participants to give input during the meeting. More information is available on the Executive Steering Group, Community Advisory Group and Equity Advisory Group.
Comments received 48 hours prior to the community meetings will be shared with the group members before the meetings, and all comments received prior to or at the meetings will be included in the meeting summaries.
Additional information about the advisory groups and application process can be found on the Interstate Bridge Replacement program page.
