Camas City Councilor Leslie Lewallen visits U.S. Department of Transportation to oppose light rail in I-5 Bridge project

On Friday (June 13), Camas City Councilor Leslie Lewallen traveled to the U.S. Department of Transportation to speak directly with federal officials regarding the Interstate Bridge Replacement (IBR) project and the growing opposition in Southwest Washington to the proposed light rail extension. Photo courtesy LeslieForCamas.com

Lewallen’s visit comes as the IBR team continues to advance plans that include light rail despite widespread pushback from citizens and leaders in Clark County

Washington, D.C. – On Friday (June 13), Camas City Councilor Leslie Lewallen traveled to the U.S. Department of Transportation to speak directly with federal officials regarding the Interstate Bridge Replacement (IBR) project and the growing opposition in Southwest Washington to the proposed light rail extension.

Lewallen met with key members of Secretary Shawn Duffy’s leadership team, including the secretary’s chief of staff, chief counsel, and three senior federal transit attorneys. During the meeting, she expressed serious concerns about the inclusion of light rail in the project—an element that has been widely opposed by residents, elected officials, and local municipalities such as Camas and Battle Ground.

“This project has the potential to be a generational opportunity to improve infrastructure between Washington and Oregon,” said Councilor Lewallen. “But tying it to a multi-billion-dollar light rail extension that our community does not want and cannot afford is the wrong approach. Southwest Washington needs real solutions, not political pet projects that burden taxpayers and bring in problems from across the river.”

Lewallen authored the resolution unanimously passed by the Camas City Council opposing light rail in the IBR project. Shortly after, the city of Battle Ground passed a similar resolution.

Leslie Lewallen (center) is shown here with Jay Payne, chief counsel of the Federal Highway Administration, and Johnathan Priebe, special assistant officer of Government Affairs. Photo courtesy LeslieForCamas.com

Her visit comes as the IBR team continues to advance plans that include light rail despite widespread pushback from citizens and leaders in Clark County. Lewallen emphasized the need for practical alternatives that address real transportation needs — such as traffic congestion, emergency access, and freight mobility — without importing Portland’s troubled transit issues.

“I’m committed to ensuring the voices of Camas and my neighbors in Southwest Washington are heard in Washington, D.C.,” Lewallen added. “We deserve infrastructure that serves our families and businesses, not out-of-touch mandates driven by political agendas.”

For more information about Councilor Leslie Lewallen and her ongoing advocacy for Camas and Southwest Washington, visit www.LeslieForCamas.com.