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Clark County Today Editor Ken Vance lists the reasons why he is encouraged by recent developments in the scrutiny of the $7.5 billion boondoggle
Ken Vance, editor
Clark County Today
Since Clark County Today was launched on Sept. 29, 2016, there is no single local news topic/issue that we have devoted more time and effort to than the proposed replacement of the Interstate 5 Bridge. Thanks in large part to the diligent pursuit of facts and information by Rep. John Ley, we have scrutinized and dissected virtually every element of the project. That will certainly continue even as Ley has ascended to the Washington State House of Representatives.
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I don’t believe we have ever stated an objection to a project that will replace the I-5 Bridge. However, Ley, myself and many others have objected to THIS project, or at least elements thereof. Many of us would like to see the focus be on a third crossing over the Columbia River between Vancouver and Portland prior to the replacement of the I-5 Bridge. We also strenuously object to the project including an extension of TriMet’s light rail into Vancouver, which will make up at least $2 billion of the price tag, currently estimated to be as high as $7.5 billion. Ley and I have written countless times about other reasons why the current proposal isn’t what’s best for Clark County residents, including the fact that it does virtually nothing to address the growing traffic congestion issues in our region and specifically along the I-5 corridor.
This column is about the fact that more than at any other time in the history of this project, folks have hope that common sense will finally prevail and this project will either be amended or discontinued altogether. Better to start over yet again than to continue with a disaster of a project that will cost taxpayers billions over many decades.
The impact of the presidential election
The election of President Donald Trump in the Nov. 5, 2024 election has given many like me hope for the use of common sense in addressing problems that face our country. There’s no question that the I-5 Bridge replacement project screams for the need for common sense.
In an interview with KOIN 6 News, Ley welcomed more scrutiny of the project.
“Clearly, there’s a change with the federal election. It remains to be seen how the Trump administration will respond and look at that,” the Republican said.
The story pointed out that more than $2 billion has been earmarked federally, but the project hasn’t broken ground and there still isn’t a final design or a final price tag.
“This is where the DOTs, the governors need to say ‘Time out. Are we being well served by this project moving forward?’” said Ley.
Ley recently filed his first bill as a new Washington state legislator on Wednesday. It aims to prevent tolling as part of the I-5 Bridge replacement project. House Bill 1559 would repeal legislation that passed along party lines in 2023. Senate Bill 5765 authorized the Legislature to impose tolls to help pay for the project.
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Proponents argue tolls are an important way to pay for a new bridge. However, the exact mechanisms have yet to be determined, and opponents argue tolling has many downsides.
More about what has changed
I had an email thread shared with me this week from members of the Hayden Island Community who have also spent a great deal of time and effort scrutinizing the project. Kimberly Haslett offered hope that President Trump, or the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), will at some point provide the common sense to the I-5 Bridge replacement project that we’ve all been seeking. Haslett also wrote a letter to the DOGE as a concerned citizen.
Here is what Haslett wrote:
“Trump may definitely pull back the funds for the following reason:
“1. They are taking a closer look at many federal funds previously pledged to States – and evaluating if they are being used in the most cost effective way.
“2. Trump has pledged to withhold Federal Funds to any state that is refusing to cooperate with his Executive Orders. Tina Kotek has already received a warning letter for her stance on keeping Oregon a Sanctuary (State), and refusing to cooperate with ICE.
“3. The Department of Government Efficiency is investigating any wasteful use of federal funding and requesting the public’s help in identifying projects that are not a wise use of those funds.
“I sent out an email to DOGE today as a concerned citizen.’’
C-TRAN board members express opposition to funding
Clark County Councilor Michelle Belkot recently became the third member of the C-TRAN board to express opposition to Southwest Washington taxpayers helping to fund TriMet’s light rail extension into Vancouver, following Bart Hansen and Tim Hein.
Belkot has proposed additional discussion by members of the C-TRAN board and the public on the issue. That is scheduled to be a topic at a meeting March 11.
Belkot, Hansen and Hein would need just two more votes to have a majority on the C-TRAN board.
Is the confidence of proponents waning?
One of the reasons why Clark County Today has been so persistent in providing scrutiny of this project is that seemingly so few were doing so. It was shocking to me that the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program and proponents of the project were seemingly working virtually unchecked on the way toward an inevitable conclusion that would be a grotesque abuse of power and misuse of taxpayer funds. But the belief now, finally, is that folks have finally woken up and are taking notice and that we hold the hammer because of the election of President Trump and the formation of the DOGE.
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There has seemingly been no greater proponent of this project than Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle, who appeared to reveal a crack in her confidence for the project in recent comments made to Oregon Public Broadcasting.
“The contracts haven’t been written, the checks haven’t been signed. So, until that happens, we don’t have a bridge right now. We’re working as if we will, hoping to get a record of decision Sept. 8, 2025 and put a shovel in the dirt the next day,” Mayor McEnerny-Ogle said, referring to early construction preparation. “Until all of those documents are signed, we don’t have a bridge.”
That’s the best news I’ve heard on this project in years.
Also read:
- Rep. John Ley introduces bill to hold agencies of the I-5 Interstate Bridge replacement project accountable for spendingRep. John Ley proposes House Bill 2030 to audit spending on the I-5 Interstate Bridge Replacement project, pushing for transparency and financial accountability.
- Bistate bridge bill authorizes Washington state to issue bonds to finance projectHouse Bill 1958 would authorize Washington state to issue up to $1.6 billion in bonds for the Interstate Bridge Replacement, with repayment from toll revenue.
- Opinion: Southwest Washington must stand together to reject light rail in the Interstate Bridge replacementLeslie Lewallen argues that Southwest Washington should reject light rail in the Interstate Bridge Replacement, citing high costs and low ridership.
- House Transportation Committee to hold hearing on HB 1958 Monday (Feb. 24)Washington’s House Transportation Committee will hold a hearing on HB 1958, a bill that could shift tolling burdens for the I-5 Bridge replacement entirely onto Washington residents.
- Letter: Gadflies unite!Shauna Walters responds to IBR’s Greg Johnson calling project opponents “gadflies” and urges continued opposition to costly light rail plans.