Interstate Bridge

The Interstate Bridge (also Columbia River Interstate Bridge, I-5 Bridge, Portland-Vancouver Interstate Bridge, Vancouver-Portland Bridge) is a pair of nearly identical steel vertical-lift, Parker through-truss bridges that carry Interstate 5 traffic over the Columbia River between Vancouver, Washington and Portland, Oregon in the United States.

Not to be confused with the Interstate Highway Bridge between Washington and Idaho.
Interstate Bridge
Looking south from Vancouver
Coordinates45°36′24″N 122°40′51″W
Carries6 lanes of I-5
CrossesColumbia River
LocalePortland, Oregon to
Vancouver, Washington
Maintained byODOT, WSDOT
ID number01377, 07333
Characteristics
DesignDual truss with vertical lifts
Total length3,538 ft (1,078 m)
WidthNorthbound span 38 ft (12 m);
southbound span 39 ft (12 m)
Height242 ft (74 m)[1]
Longest span531 ft (161.8 m)
Clearance below72 ft (21.9 m) at highest fixed span;
176 ft (53.6 m) at open lift span[2]
History
DesignerWaddell & Harrington[2]: 110–112 
OpenedFebruary 14, 1917[2][3](Northbound span),
1958 (Southbound span)
Portland–Vancouver Highway Bridge
Interstate Bridge is located in Portland, Oregon
Interstate Bridge
LocationPortland, Oregon;
Vancouver, Washington
Coordinates45°37′05″N 122°40′31″W
Built1915–16[4]
MPSHistoric Bridges/Tunnels in Washington State TR
NRHP reference No.82004205[5][6]
Added to NRHPJuly 16, 1982[5]
Statistics
Daily traffic132,592 (2014)[7]

The bridge opened to traffic in 1917 as a single bridge carrying two-way traffic. A second, twin bridge opened in 1958 with each bridge carrying one-way traffic. The original 1917 structure is the northbound bridge.[2] As of 2006, the bridge pair handles around 130,000 vehicles daily.[2] The green structure, which is over 3,500 feet (1,067 m) long, carries traffic over three northbound lanes and three southbound lanes. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982, as the "Portland–Vancouver Highway Bridge".[5]

Since 2005, proposals for replacing the bridge have been produced and debated. The bridge is considered responsible for traffic congestion of road vehicles and river traffic. Plans for a replacement bridge, known as the Columbia River Crossing (CRC) project, estimated to cost at least $3.4 billion, had come together by 2012 after many delays, but were very controversial, with both strong support and strong opposition.[8] In late June 2013, the CRC project was canceled, after the Washington state legislature declined to authorize funding for the project.[8] The Interstate Bridge Replacement Program, a joint effort between ODOT, WSDOT, Federal Highway Administration, Federal Transit Administration, Metro, Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Council, the cities of Portland and Vancouver, the Port of Portland, and the Port of Vancouver USA, was relaunched in 2017.

First bridge
Interstate Bridge looking north from Oregon, 1917
Postcard showing streetcar tracks, period autos

Before a permanent crossing existed between Portland and Vancouver, there was an overcrowded ferry system operated by Pacific Railway, Light & Power Co.

Plans for the original bridge began as early as 1912, with local efforts leading to an initial survey and bond measures totaling $2,000,000; $1.5 million contributed from Portland, and $500,000 from Vancouver. Waddell & Harrington were retained as the project's consulting engineers.[9] Construction on the bridge began in March 1915,[10] and the structure opened on February 14, 1917 at a final cost of $1.75 million (equivalent to $40 million in 2022[11]), which was shared between Clark and Multnomah counties.[12] Clark County paid $500,000 and Multnomah County paid $1.25 million—probably proportional to population.[13]

The first bridge has a total of 13 steel spans, with three measuring 275 feet (84 m) in length and the remaining ten spans 265 ft (81 m) each.[13] Piers sit atop pile caps on wooden pilings approximately 70 feet deep.[14] One of the 275-foot (84 m) spans is the lift span for allowing river traffic under the bridge.[13] The lift span is capable of moving 136 ft (41 m) vertically,[4] and provides 176 ft (53.6 m) of clearance below when fully raised.[2] The towers are 190 ft (57.9 m) tall, above the roadway.[4]

The original paved roadway was 38 ft (11.6 m) wide and had a 5 ft (1.52 m) wide sidewalk.[13] It was the first automobile bridge across the river between Washington and Oregon,[13] and the second to span the river at all, after the Wenatchee Bridge of 1908.[15] It was originally a toll bridge costing 5¢ per vehicle or per horse and rider,[4] equivalent to $1.14 in 2022. In 1928 the states of Washington and Oregon jointly purchased the bridge from the counties and discontinued tolling the following year.[2]

Electric streetcars operated across the bridge from opening day in 1917[3] until 1940. The bridge's deck carried dual gauge track,[4] to accommodate both Vancouver's standard gauge cars and Portland's 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) gauge cars. Before the bridge, Portland had had a Vancouver streetcar line since 1893, but it ran to Hayden Island, where passengers transferred to a ferry owned by the street railway company to continue across the river to Vancouver.[16] Streetcar service across the Interstate Bridge ended on September 3, 1940.[16]

The bridge became part of then-new Interstate 5 in 1957.[2] It was previously part of U.S. Route 99 when that route was established in 1926.[17]

Upgrades
Interstate Bridge in 1973 as seen from the now demolished Thunderbird Hotel on the Oregon side

In 1958, a $14.5 million ($147.1 million in 2022 dollars) upgrade created a second, almost identical span and doubled the capacity of the bridge. The new bridge was built with a "humpback" that provides 72 ft (21.9 m) of vertical clearance and minimizes bridge openings.[12] Construction began in summer 1956,[18][19] and the new, parallel bridge opened to traffic on July 1, 1958.[20]

At the time the new bridge was opened, the old one was temporarily closed for rebuilding to give it a matching humpback section. When both bridges were first open concurrently, on January 8, 1960,[21] each bridge became one-way (the new bridge for southbound traffic and the old one for northbound traffic) and tolls were reinstated at $0.20 for cars, $0.40 for light trucks, and $0.60 for heavy trucks and buses, until removed in 1966 after the construction expenses were paid off.[2][22]

A $3 million ($6.7 million in 2022 dollars) upgrade to the lift cables, expansion joints, and a deck repaving was completed in 1990. The diesel generator used to power the lift was replaced in 1995 at a cost of $150,000. In 1999, the bridge was repainted at a cost of $17 million. A $10.8 million electrical upgrade was completed in mid-May 2005.[23]

The bridge is 3,538 feet (1,078 m) long with a main span of 531 feet (162 m).[24] The vertical lift provides 176 feet (53.6 m) of river clearance when fully opened. Openings last about ten minutes and occur between 20 and 30 times per month,[25] or around 300 per year.[26]

A barge passing under the raised lift spans
Viewed from the northeast, in Vancouver

Outside peak commuting times (6:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m), marine traffic is granted right of way at the bridge by federal law (33 CFR 117.869).[27][28]

In 2006, the six total lanes of the bridges carried 130,000 vehicles daily.[2] Full traffic capacity occurs four hours every day.[25]

The Interstate Bridge's name is a simple descriptive one based on its location, as a bridge connecting two states.[2] In 1917, the new bridge gave its name to a Portland arterial street. Shortly before the bridge opened, a pair of streets through North Portland that were planned to be treated as the main route to and from the bridge, Maryland Avenue and Patton Avenue, were renamed Interstate Avenue.[29]

Replacement planning

Columbia River Crossing (2005–2013)
Main article: Columbia River Crossing

The bridge is frequently a bottleneck which impacts both traffic on the freeway, as well as on the river. The Oregon and Washington transportation departments are jointly studying how to replace the bridge. Both spans have been rated as "functionally obsolete," with sufficiency ratings of 18.3% and 49.4% for the original and second spans, respectively.[30][31] Initially, the estimated cost for a replacement bridge was around $2 billion,[32] but that number has climbed steadily to around $3.4 billion.[33] An independent study in 2010 estimated the full cost to be closer to $10 billion.[34]

Design of a replacement (especially a fixed-span bridge) is complicated by the existence of a railroad drawbridge crossing the Columbia a short distance downriver (on the Burlington Northern Railroad Bridge 9.6), which constrains the location of the shipping channel; and by approach paths to Portland International Airport in Portland and to Pearson Field in Vancouver, which limit the height of any new structure. Some have proposed replacing the bridge in a different location. There were originally 12 transportation plans that were being studied to improve and expand the Interstate 5 crossing of the Columbia River.[35] In late 2006, four of these plans were selected for a final proposal, along with a fifth no-build option.[36] The Columbia River Crossing project's six local partner agencies selected a replacement I-5 bridge and light rail extension to Clark College as the project's Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) in 2008.[37]

There is also a longstanding debate as to whether or not a new bridge would include a MAX Light Rail line, express buses, or bus rapid transit. During his 2007 "State of the City" address, Vancouver mayor Royce Pollard stated

I've said it before, but it bears repeating – Vancouver and Clark County residents have the cheapest buy-in to one of the most successful light-rail systems in the world, the MAX system. There is over $5 billion invested in light rail across the river. We can tap into that system at a very minimal cost. We’d be foolish not to. The bi-state Columbia River Crossing initiative is making plans for the future of our community for 50 years and beyond. This project should not happen without integrating light rail that comes into downtown Vancouver. If the final alternative doesn’t have a light rail component, I will not support it.[38]

In December 2007, Oregon governor Ted Kulongoski advocated for a new bridge, publicly endorsing the Oregon Business Plan's proposal.[39]

In 2008, as fuel prices increased and project cost estimates soared, many in the area began questioning whether the project is worth the costs. In addition, many on the Portland side of the river fear that a 12-lane highway bridge to Vancouver, which many also believe has virtually no land use restrictions, will encourage suburban sprawl and development north of the river.[40]

Work Lights on Interstate Bridge
Interstate Bridge in 2016 with additional illumination for late-night work crews.

Further concerns over the 12-lane "Columbia River Crossing" (CRC) proposal include its failure to examine critical environmental impacts, such as damage to Clark County's drinking water supply, endangered fish habitat in the Columbia, and air pollution in North Portland.

In 2008, the Environmental Protection Agency found that the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the CRC had failed to adequately cover these issues, as well as the potential induced demand for suburban sprawl. In a letter to CRC planners, the EPA wrote that "There was no indication (in the CRC environmental impact statement) of how these vulnerable populations might be impacted by air pollution, noise, diesel construction vehicles and increased traffic", referring to minority communities in North Portland.[41]

In June 2013, the Washington Legislature voted against further funding of the CRC.[8] On June 29, Oregon Governor Kitzhaber directed the CRC to shut down operations.

Interstate Bridge Replacement Program (2019–present)

The relaunched Interstate Bridge Replacement Program is a joint effort between ODOT, WSDOT, Federal Highway Administration, Federal Transit Administration, Metro, Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Council, the cities of Portland and Vancouver, the Port of Portland, and the Port of Vancouver USA.[42]

The Joint Oregon-Washington Legislative Action Committee was formed by the Washington legislature in 2017 to study a bridge replacement, but initially had no Oregon representation for a year.[43][44] The new committee was formed to prevent $140 million in federal funding allocated for the CRC from being recalled after a deadline, which was extended to 2025.[45] In April 2019, the Washington legislature approved $17.5 million to establish a project office to conduct pre-design and planning work, which was followed by a matching contribution from the Oregon Transportation Commission in August.[46][47]

A new timeline for the project, with the start of environmental review in 2020 and construction by 2025, was approved by the joint committee in late 2019.[48] The replacement bridge's design is unspecified, with discussions about the inclusion of light rail, lane configurations, and investigating a third crossing all under consideration.[46] Former Michigan Department of Transportation deputy director Greg Johnson was appointed as the bridge program administrator in June 2020.[49][50] Several alternative ideas have been proposed, including an immersed tube tunnel, a third bridge, and a bascule bridge favored by the U.S. Coast Guard, but have been rejected for their drawbacks and cost.[51]

As of December 2022, the project is estimated to cost $5.5 billion to $7.5 billion.[52] The locally preferred alternative selected in 2022 is an eight-lane bridge with a light rail guideway on the west side and several modified interchanges.[53]

The full bridge as seen from Hayden Island, showing the 1959-built "humped" section mid-span.

See also

References
  1. https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/AsrSearch/asrRegistration.jsp?regKey=2648121
  2. Wood Wortman, Sharon; Wortman, Ed (2006). The Portland Bridge Book (3rd ed.). Urban Adventure Press. pp. 107–112. ISBN 0-9787365-1-6.
  3. "Columbia Span Is Formally Opened: Dream of Half Century Is Realized (subheadlines: Traffic Starts With Brilliant Ceremony on Bridge; Thousands Attend Affair)". (February 15, 1917). The Morning Oregonian, p. 1.
  4. Bottenberg, Ray (2007). Bridges of Portland. Arcadia Publishing. pp. 78, 80. ISBN 978-0-7385-4876-0.
  5. "Oregon National Register List" (PDF). Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. June 6, 2011. p. 39. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 9, 2011. Retrieved July 13, 2011.
  6. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. April 15, 2008.
  7. "Columbia River Bridges: Crossing Data, 1961 - 2014". Retrieved June 25, 2015.
  8. Read, Richard (July 1, 2013) [online date June 30]. "Cheers, dismay over CRC's demise". The Oregonian. p. 1. Retrieved July 7, 2013.
  9. "The $1,750,000 Interstate Highway Bridge, Oregon and Washington". Engineering & Contracting. Chicago: Myron C. Clark Publishing Co. XLII (7): 36. August 12, 1914. Retrieved June 6, 2021 – via Google Books.
  10. Holstine, Craig E. (2005). Spanning Washington: Historic Highway Bridges of the Evergreen State. Washington State University Press. pp. 103–104. ISBN 0-87422-281-8.
  11. 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  12. Wood, Sharon (2001). The Portland Bridge Book (2nd ed.). Oregon Historical Society. pp. 73–78. ISBN 0-87595-211-9.
  13. Horner, John B. (1919). "Oregon: Her History, Her Great Men, Her Literature". The J.K. Gill Co.: Portland.
  14. "Seismic Vulnerability". Project Information. Columbia River Crossing. Archived from the original on January 29, 2013. Retrieved March 19, 2013.
  15. Dorpat, Paul; Genevieve McCoy (1998). Building Washington: A History of Washington State Public Works. Tartu Publications. pp. 111–112. ISBN 0-9614357-9-8.
  16. Thompson, Richard (2010). Portland's Streetcar Lines, pp. 72–73, 77. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7385-8126-2.
  17. Pesanti, Dameon (February 12, 2017). "Interstate Bridge turns 100: 'With Iron Bands,' a century spanned". The Columbian. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
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  19. "Piers Poured Under Water; Contractors to Try New Method in Construction of Interstate Bridge". The Sunday Oregonian. September 2, 1956. p. 16.
  20. Hauser, Paul (July 2, 1958). "Rites Open 2d Bridge Over River". The Oregonian. p. 1.
  21. "Twin Interstate Spans Open to Travel Friday". The Oregonian. January 8, 1960. p. 1.
  22. Rivera, Dylan (August 9, 2008). "I-5 bridge tolls divide Portland, Vancouver". The Oregonian. Retrieved July 13, 2011.
  23. "Interstate Bridges Electrical Upgrade". Oregon Department of Transportation. Retrieved July 13, 2011.
  24. Smith, Dwight A.; Norman, James B.; Dykman, Pieter T. (1989). Historic Highway Bridges of Oregon. Oregon Historical Society Press. p. 209. ISBN 0-87595-205-4.
  25. I-5 Partnership. Regional Economic Effects of the I-5 Corridor: Columbia River Crossing Transportation Choke Points (PDF) (Report). Archived from the original (PDF) on March 17, 2009. Retrieved March 4, 2009.
  26. Wong, Peter (August 25, 2023). "Interstate Bridge shows its age". Portland Tribune. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  27. Albrecht, Bob (June 2, 2011). "High river levels prompt bridge lifts". The Columbian. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  28. "Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Columbia River, Vancouver, WA". Federal Register. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  29. "Street Name Changed: Maryland and Patton Avenue become Interstate Avenue". The Morning Oregonian. December 7, 1916. p. 13.
  30. "NBI Structure Number: 000000PR0000000". National Bridge Inventory Database. 2012. Archived from the original on February 10, 2016. Retrieved May 23, 2013.
  31. "NBI Structure Number: 0005216A0000000". National Bridge Inventory Database. 2012. Archived from the original on February 10, 2016. Retrieved May 23, 2013.
  32. Mayer, James (November 22, 2006). "Columbia bridge advice: Scrap the old, build new". The Oregonian.
  33. Rivera, Dylan (May 28, 2008). "Charge tolls first, then maybe build a bridge, Metro councilors say". The Oregonian.
  34. Rose, Joseph (October 15, 2010). "New study warns Columbia River Crossing could cost $10 billion". The Oregonian. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  35. "Preliminary Alternative Packages". Columbia River Crossing. Archived from the original on November 14, 2006. Retrieved November 5, 2006.
  36. "State of Oregon: Oregon Department of Transportation". Archived from the original on August 21, 2008. Retrieved July 24, 2008.
  37. "State of Oregon: Oregon Department of Transportation". Archived from the original on August 21, 2008. Retrieved July 24, 2008.
  38. "State of the City". City of Vancouver. January 23, 2007. Archived from the original on October 15, 2006. Retrieved January 25, 2007.
  39. McCall, William (December 4, 2007). "Ore.: Governor urges new bridge". Houston Chronicle. Associated Press.
  40. "Bridge to Disaster". The Portland Mercury. March 19, 2008.
  41. Reed, Len (July 10, 2008). "I-5 bridge impacts on pollution, growth unexamined". The Oregonian. Retrieved July 13, 2011.
  42. "I-5 - Interstate Bridge Replacement Program". Washington State Department of Transportation. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  43. Thomas, Jake (December 15, 2017). "Panel aims to span I-5 dilemma". The Columbian. p. A1. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  44. Thomas, Jake (December 7, 2018). "Oregon to join in Interstate 5 Bridge replacement talks". The Columbian. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  45. Mize, Jeffery (September 24, 2019). "Washington, Oregon get another 5 years on I-5 Bridge funds". The Columbian. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  46. Mize, Jeffrey (October 13, 2019). "New I-5 Bridge project: Here we go, again...again". The Columbian. p. A1. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  47. Theen, Andrew (August 16, 2019). "Oregon will spend $9 million on new Interstate Bridge project". The Oregonian. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  48. Theen, Andrew (September 24, 2019). "Oregon and Washington: We'll start building a new Interstate Bridge by 2025". The Oregonian. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  49. "ODOT and WSDOT name key leader to head the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program" (Press release). Washington State Department of Transportation. June 11, 2020. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  50. Monahan, Rachel; Mesh, Aaron (June 29, 2022). "U.S. Coast Guard Says Planned Bridge Across Columbia River Is 60 Feet Too Low". Willamette Week. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  51. Seekamp, William (September 18, 2022). "Why alternative Interstate 5 Bridge replacement ideas won't work". The Columbian. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  52. Seekamp, William (December 9, 2022). "New I-5 Bridge cost: Likely $6 Billion". The Columbian. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
  53. Garcia, Isabella (May 5, 2022). "Interstate Bridge Engineers Propose Eight Lane Design with Light Rail". Portland Mercury. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
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