Portland-Vancouver bridge project clears final federal review

The Portland-Vancouver Interstate Bridge Replacement Program has cleared its main federal environmental-review milestone, moving the project toward permits, funding obligations and contractor procurement—but not yet into construction.

The Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration issued an Amended Record of Decision on July 1, 2026. A Federal Register notice published July 7 announced that the agencies’ actions were final for the proposed replacement of the Interstate 5 bridges and related highway and high-capacity transit improvements across the Columbia River.

The milestone completes the federal National Environmental Policy Act review. It does not mean every permit has been issued, all funding has been obligated or construction is authorized to begin immediately.

What changed

The Federal Register notice covers final federal agency actions for the multimodal project in Oregon and Washington. It generally bars a claim seeking judicial review unless it is filed by December 4, 2026. The notice also says a shorter filing period still applies if another federal law provides one.

The federal action allows the two states and their project partners to advance remaining permits, finalize funding obligations and begin the procurement process for a contractor. The Interstate Bridge Replacement Program says contractor selection is anticipated in 2027.

What the first phase would build

The program describes the first funded construction phase as an estimated $5.68 billion effort supported by approximately $5.7 billion in committed funding, according to its current project materials. That figure is the program’s estimate and funding description, not an independently audited final project cost.

The planned package includes two new parallel, single-level fixed-span bridges; three through lanes in each direction; one auxiliary lane in each direction; safety shoulders; connections between I-5 and the bridge in Oregon and Washington; SR 14 and Hayden Island connections; a shared-use path; tolling infrastructure; and removal of the existing bridge.

The corridor plan also calls for variable-rate tolling for motorists crossing the Columbia River. Final toll rates and the date toll collection would begin have not been established in the materials reviewed.

Light rail remains a later phase

The bridge design includes space or design preparation for a future light-rail extension to Vancouver. The current first funded phase does not include full construction of that extension. The program says it is pursuing additional funding for light rail from North Portland to the Vancouver Waterfront.

That distinction matters for transit users: the federal review covers a multimodal program, but the highway, bridge, active-transportation and tolling elements are moving ahead on a different funding and construction track from the future rail extension.

Permits and procurement remain

Oregon’s proposed Clean Water Act Section 401 water-quality certification is one of the next major steps. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality says written comments on the proposed certification are due Thursday, August 6, 2026, at 5 p.m. The proposed certification is not a final permit decision.

DEQ says the Section 401 certification must be obtained before the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers can authorize the related federal Section 404 permit for work in waters of the United States. DEQ also identifies a separate stormwater permit as required for construction in Oregon.

The program currently anticipates construction beginning in 2028 and lasting six to seven years, but the schedule depends on regulatory approvals, remaining funding obligations, procurement and other factors. The 2028 date is therefore a current target, not a guarantee.

What it means for travelers and freight

The project concerns a major I-5 crossing used by cross-river commuters, freight carriers, transit riders, pedestrians and bicyclists. If the schedule advances, travelers should expect a lengthy construction period affecting the bridge and nearby highway connections. The first phase is designed to provide a shared-use path and highway improvements, while future light rail remains dependent on additional funding.

Freight operators and regular commuters should also watch the tolling program as it develops. The current materials establish that tolling infrastructure is part of the planned corridor, but they do not establish the amount motorists or commercial carriers would pay.

Next dates to watch

• August 6, 2026, at 5 p.m.: Oregon DEQ deadline for written comments on the proposed Section 401 water-quality certification.
• December 4, 2026: General deadline identified in the Federal Register notice for judicial-review claims, subject to any shorter statutory deadline.
• 2027: Contractor selection or identification is anticipated by the project program.
• 2028: Construction is currently anticipated to begin, subject to permits, funding and other conditions.

The next meaningful developments will be permit decisions, funding obligations, procurement announcements, litigation and a more detailed construction schedule. For now, the bridge replacement has cleared the main federal environmental-review barrier, but it remains an advancing project rather than an active construction site.

Sources

• Federal Register notice on final Interstate Bridge actions
• Interstate Bridge Replacement Program: Advancing to Construction
• Oregon DEQ: Interstate Bridge Replacement Program
• Portland Business Journal: Interstate 5 Bridge gets major federal approval

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