Federal approval moves I-5 Columbia River bridge toward construction
A July 1 federal decision moved the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program toward contractor procurement and permits, but the Portland-Vancouver I-5 crossing is still not expected to enter bridge construction until 2028.
The Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration approved the program’s Amended Record of Decision on July 1, completing the federal environmental review required under the National Environmental Policy Act. The action allows Oregon and Washington to advance the replacement of the aging Columbia River crossing; it does not mean physical construction has begun.
What gets built first
The first funded phase centers on two new fixed-span Columbia River bridges and their connections to I-5 in Oregon and Washington. Each bridge is planned to have three through lanes, safety shoulders and one auxiliary lane in each direction.
The initial phase also includes connections involving Hayden Island and State Route 14, a shared-use path, tolling infrastructure, safety features and space for future light rail. The existing Interstate Bridge is expected to be demolished only after the new Columbia River bridges open to traffic.
The approved alternative is broader than the first funded package. It includes a planned 1.9-mile MAX Yellow Line extension from North Portland to Vancouver, new transit stations, bus-on-shoulder service, interchange modifications and additional walking and bicycling improvements. The first funded phase advances light-rail design and preserves space for later construction rather than delivering the full extension immediately.
What happens next
The program expects to issue a request for qualifications in 2026, followed by a request for proposals later in the year. Contractor selection is currently expected in 2027, with bridge construction anticipated to begin in 2028.
Those are current program expectations, not guarantees. The schedule still depends on procurement, permits, funding and construction sequencing. The program also must continue regulatory work, including a U.S. Coast Guard general bridge permit process.
Why the river permit process matters
The federal decision identifies temporary effects for Columbia River navigation during bridge construction. The primary navigation channel could have reduced vertical clearance for about three years, while other channels could also see reduced clearances for several years. Each channel could be closed for periods during construction, with closures staggered so at least one channel remains open at all times.
The decision says later design and permit coordination may lessen or avoid some of those effects. Affected river users will have an opportunity to comment during the Coast Guard’s general bridge permit process.
The funding gap and longer timeline
Approximately $5.7 billion is committed to the funded phase. The 2026 estimate for the full five-mile corridor ranges from $13.5 billion to $15.2 billion, with a likely planning estimate of $14.4 billion.
The full approved program is therefore not fully funded. Officials continue to pursue additional money, including a potential $1 billion Federal Transit Administration Capital Investment Grant. The program will be delivered in phases as funding is secured, and its current planning horizon extends to 2045, later than the earlier 2034 target after delays in the environmental process and updated sequencing requirements.
Who may feel the effects
Drivers and commuters should expect future tolling and years of phased construction along I-5. The program’s cost and funding materials say tolling is anticipated to begin in 2028, but final rates, exemptions, collection technology and operating rules have not been established.
Freight operators use the crossing as an important regional and interstate route. Construction may bring temporary traffic restrictions, staged closures and changes to river navigation. The project is intended to address the existing bridges’ seismic vulnerability, narrow roadway elements and limited safety features, but the practical effects will depend on final design and construction sequencing.
Pedestrians, bicyclists and transit riders are included in the broader program through the shared-use path and planned transit improvements. Taxpayers and future toll-paying drivers will be affected by how the remaining funding is assembled and how tolling is ultimately designed.
What to watch
The next milestones are the 2026 procurement notices, contractor selection, permit applications and Coast Guard review. Additional federal transit funding will help determine how quickly the broader light-rail and corridor elements can advance.
The immediate change is procedural but significant: the bridge replacement has cleared the federal environmental review hurdle and can move into procurement and permitting. The first construction package is still expected to focus on the new Columbia River bridges, with the larger five-mile corridor continuing through phased delivery as funding becomes available.
Sources
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