The long-planned replacement of the aging Interstate Bridge is facing a sharp rise in projected costs, as officials from Washington and Oregon push forward with plans to begin construction in 2028.
New estimates place the total cost of the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program between $7.8 billion and $15.2 billion. So far, approximately $5.5 billion in state and federal funding has been secured, leaving a significant funding gap to be addressed in the coming years.
At a press conference in Vancouver, Governor Bob Ferguson emphasized the urgency of replacing the 109-year-old bridge, which currently carries more than 140,000 vehicles daily across the Columbia River.
“There are two things that are certain: We must replace this bridge, and number two, delaying a major project has never made costs go down,” Ferguson said.
The updated cost estimate reflects multiple factors, including inflation, rising construction material prices and a built-in contingency of approximately $2.4 billion to account for uncertainties.
Officials confirmed that contractor selection is expected in 2027, with major construction activities slated to begin the following year.
The project extends far beyond simply replacing the bridge structure. Plans include rebuilding both northbound and southbound spans, upgrading a five-mile stretch of the I-5 corridor, reconstructing seven interchanges and replacing the North Portland Harbor Bridge.
“We will continue to work toward the larger corridor down the road in phases, as funding becomes available,” Ferguson said. “But our focus right now is getting this bridge built.”
In addition, the project includes extending light rail service into downtown Vancouver, a move aimed at improving regional connectivity and reducing long-term traffic congestion.
A major milestone came earlier this year when the U.S. Coast Guard approved a fixed-span bridge design. By eliminating the need for movable sections, officials estimate the design change could save approximately $1.7 billion compared to earlier concepts.
Labor groups in both states have strongly backed the project, highlighting its potential to generate jobs and support the construction workforce.
Heather Kurtenbach, executive secretary of the Washington State Building Trades, described the initiative as “a once-in-a-generation investment in working people.”
“Projects like this don’t just build bridges — they build middle-class lives,” Kurtenbach said.
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Once construction begins, the bridge is expected to take six to seven years to complete, although the final timeline will depend on contractor selection and project phasing.
The Interstate Bridge Replacement Program is one of the largest infrastructure efforts in the Pacific Northwest, reflecting broader national trends where aging transportation assets require significant reinvestment.
Rising costs are becoming increasingly common across large-scale infrastructure projects due to supply chain pressures, labor shortages and evolving design requirements. Despite these challenges, state leaders continue to prioritize the project given its critical role in regional mobility, freight movement and economic activity.
If completed as planned, the new I-5 crossing will serve as a modern transportation corridor designed to meet future demand while improving safety, reliability and multimodal access across the Columbia River.
Originally reported by AARON GRANILLO, KIRO Newsradio Anchor in My North West.
