Federal Highway Administration is funding a dangerous bridge
Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are those of the author alone and do not reflect the editorial position of ClarkCountyToday.com
The Federal Aviation Administration’s certification of Boeing’s 737 MAX resulted in two plane crashes and 346 deaths. The FAA issued a $2.5 billion face-saving fine.
In a grim coincidence, the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program (IBR) is asking for $2.5 billion in federal grants to build a dangerous bridge. During the 100-life of its bridge, there will be thousands of crashes and an untold number of injuries and deaths. A 737 software flaw was hidden in a million lines of code.
The IBR’s I-5 Bridge design flaws are obvious to anyone who has driven across the I-205 Bridge, just upstream. Its grade, curve, rain, wind, and ice make it a perilous crossing. The I-205 Bridge is ranked by Go Save Labs as the nation’s eighth most dangerous accident hotspot. The IBR I-5 Bridge design will be almost twice as steep (4%), have the same weather, antiquated cloverleafs, limited sight distance, a 7% off-ramp to SR-14, and I-205-style curve. Bridge crashes will be frequent and over time injuries and deaths will equal a plane crash.
The Federal Highway Administration recently awarded the IBR its first federal grant, $1 million to do a redundant study on liquefaction during an earthquake. Ten years ago the Columbia River Crossing spent $12 million on a dozen geotechnical consultants and $31 million on WSDOT management and geotechnical studies. Continued funding of the IBR by the FWHA should stop until the IBR has a safe design.
The IBR continues to ignore a safer and less costly immersed tunnel alternative.
Bob Ortblad MSCE, MBA
Seattle
Also read:
- Letter: ‘The current bridge plan hurts economic development on BOTH sides of the river’
Sam Churchill from Hayden Island shares his concerns over the economic impact of the current I-5 Bridge replacement proposal on both sides of the river. - Letter: ‘We students are counting on voters to show up to the polls again’Vancouver’s Tammy Pham urges voters to reject I-2109, safeguarding essential education funding and youth opportunities.
- POLL: Should Clark County increase surveillance or add security at all ballot drop box locations?Clark County Today’s weekly poll asks if increased security measures at ballot drop boxes are necessary to boost voter confidence or if the cost is too high.
- Opinion: Taxes cost moneyNancy Churchill discusses why she believes repealing the Climate Commitment Act with I-2117 will ease economic burdens on Washington residents.
- Letter: Vote for Joe Kent for CongressCamas resident Doug Tweet supports Joe Kent for Congress, highlighting his military service and positions on key issues.
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