Hybrid in-person/virtual meeting takes place Oct. 1 in Vancouver
VANCOUVER – Toll rates and policies on the Interstate 5 bridge over the Columbia River will be discussed during a joint meeting of the Washington State Transportation Commission and the Oregon Transportation Commission. The meeting is Tuesday, Oct. 1, and the public is invited to attend.
The two commissions will meet at the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program Office, 500 Broadway, Suite 200, in Vancouver, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. People can attend either in person or virtually. Those wishing to attend virtually via Zoom may register for the meeting on the Washington State Transportation Commission’s website. The meeting will also be streamed live on TVW and YouTube.
Virtual and in-person public comment are scheduled at 10:30 a.m. Written comments can be submitted by email to transc@wstc.wa.gov or through a comment form on the Oregon Transportation Commission’s website.
At the meeting, the two commissions will hear about:
- Options for potential toll rates and policies for further analysis. This will help set the stage for the two commissions to set the bridge toll rates in 2025.
- An update on the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program and work underway to prepare for tolling.
- Engagement efforts with federally recognized tribes in Washington and Oregon about tolling.
The two state commissions signed an agreement in January 2024 for the joint setting of toll rates on the bridge. A bi-state tolling subcommittee, made up of two members from each state commission, has been meeting since February to advise the full commission membership on toll rates and policies.
Construction of the Interstate 5 bridge over the Columbia River is expected to begin in early 2026, and tolling on the existing bridge is expected to begin in spring 2026. Toll rates and policies are required to manage traffic and generate funding for the project as well as cover ongoing maintenance costs for the bridge and tolling operations.
For more information about the two commissions’ roles in tolling the Interstate 5 bridge and a meeting agenda, visit the WSTC and OTC websites.
Americans with Disabilities Act Information
Individuals requesting accommodations may request written materials in alternate formats, sign language interpreters, physical accessibility accommodations, or other reasonable accommodations by contacting the Washington State Transportation Commission at (360) 705-7070 or by emailing transc@wstc.wa.gov. In Oregon, please contact the Oregon Transportation Commission Assistant at (503) 986-3450 or email OTCAdmin@odot.state.or.us at least 72 hours prior to the meeting to make your request. Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may contact the event sponsor through statewide relay at 7-1-1.
Also read:
- Busy pavement season ahead on Vancouver streets
The city of Vancouver is set to repave and preserve 76 lane miles across 20 neighborhoods in summer 2025, with ADA upgrades and community notices throughout. - State representative: Expect sticker shock when Interstate Bridge project officials reveal price, tolling plansAt a town hall in Battle Ground, Rep. John Ley warned of major cost increases and tolling burdens tied to the Interstate Bridge replacement project.
- Opinion: Washington state lawmakers increase the cost of driving – againBob Pishue of Mountain States Policy Center argues that new vehicle and fuel taxes in Washington will raise driving costs while diverting funds away from roads.
- Overnight full closure of I-5 near Woodland for bridge inspection, May 6
WSDOT will fully close southbound I-5 near Woodland overnight on Tuesday, May 6 for a bridge inspection using a chain drag test. - Opinion: Do we still need TriMet?John A. Charles Jr. of the Cascade Policy Institute argues that TriMet should halt expansion plans and prepare for major service reductions in response to falling ridership and rising costs.
