Lars Larson shares more concerns about the Oregon Department of Transportation and the I-5 Bridge replacement project
Lars Larson
The Northwest Nonsense
Remember ODOT?
The agency that claims it’s so short of cash it’s been forced to lay off hundreds of workers, most of them in red regions of Oregon?
The one threatening to short change snow plowing, fire evacuation duties and routine road maintenance.
Yeah, that bunch.
In the closing hours of the legislature last month, lawmakers ordered the state treasurer to borrow more than a quarter of a billion dollars specifically for ODOT.
(https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1/Downloads/MeasureDocument/SB5505 G.O. bonds under sub (6)
You’d think that would pay for a lot of regular daily ODOT obligations stuff. Only the money is allocated to the Interstate Bridge replacement project that, in my opinion, will never be built.
The Interstate Bridge project lacks billions in funding from both Oregon and Washington, lacks the required Coast Guard approval because its 60 feet too short to clear river traffic, and includes the hated light rail. It also allocates 54 percent of the bridge for bikes, peds and trains … and less than half to cars and trucks. It’s effectively smaller than the current Interstate Bridge.
The Abernathy 205 Bridge, halfway done … lacks the funding to finish.
Yet the Interstate Bridge replacement project gets 251 million 825-thousand bucks to keep paying folks to plan a dead bridge project?
The Oregon Legislature’s supermajority tried to get multiple billions of dollars for the incompetent management down at ODOT … and Gov. Tina Kotek refuses to install new leadership.
Also read:
- Letter: A call for competent Interstate Bridge project management
Rick Vermeers argues that unchecked scope, rising costs, and missed timelines threaten the survival of the Interstate Bridge Replacement project unless light rail is removed. - Rep. John Ley introduces bill to balance representation on Washington transportation boards
Legislation introduced by Rep. John Ley seeks to change how transportation board seats are allocated and prevent funding penalties tied to population-based representation rules. - Opinion: IBR administrator receives generous Christmas gift on his way out the door
Ken Vance argues that IBR leadership avoided accountability on rising project costs as Administrator Greg Johnson announced his departure without providing updated estimates. - Update: Belkot’s legal team submits sheriff’s report to its case against Clark County Council
Michelle Belkot’s legal challenge against the Clark County Council advanced after a sheriff’s report alleging rule violations was accepted into evidence. - Opinion: ‘If you tolerate lies and dishonesty from the government, you’re guaranteed more’
Lars Larson criticizes state officials for refusing to disclose updated cost estimates for the Interstate Bridge Replacement project, arguing that a lack of transparency guarantees further government dishonesty.
