Ley and Julie Meredith met on the Vancouver waterfront to review numerous pressing issues in Southwest Washington
Rep. John Ley met with the Department of Transportation Secretary, Julie Meredith, on Friday to discuss several transportation issues. Ley and Meredith met on the Vancouver waterfront to review numerous pressing issues in Southwest Washington. Ley, R-Vancouver, issued the following statement after the meeting.
“I want to thank DOT Secretary Julie Meredith for coming to Vancouver and discussing current transportation issues with me this morning. Regional DOT Administrator Carley Francis was also in attendance. We covered a wide range of topics from the Interstate Bridge Replacement (IBR) program to TriMet’s MAX light rail, including the agency’s attempt to overcharge the project by double or triple the cost for 19 unnecessary light rail vehicles.
“We also discussed the Camas Slough Bridge, where earlier this week the maximum speed was lowered to 40 mph because of significant potholes. We also covered the Washington State Ferry System and the ridiculous decision to pay three times the amount for hybrid electric ferries, instead of purchasing clean diesel ferries that could serve the people sooner.
“We also touched on the Regional Transportation Council’s (RTC) 2008 “Visioning Study.” It highlighted the need for two new bridges and transportation corridors over the Columbia River. I asked the Secretary to work with me to begin planning for those new bridges and corridors.
“Her biggest issues and concerns are regarding maintenance and preservation of our current bridges, highways, and transportation infrastructure. The DOT doesn’t have enough money allocated for long-overdue maintenance. I agree, but a bill I offered (HB 1869) last session would have freed up to $500 million by prohibiting Washington from paying for Portland’s TriMet light rail capital costs.
“I believe $1-$2 billion would pay for a reasonably priced bridge, that we could repurpose the current two structures, and give the DOT an additional $5 billion to use on maintenance and preservation.
“I also asked the secretary about compensation to consultants, which can triple the cost of services provided. She promised transparency and appropriate auditing of the IBR and all the projects her agency oversees.
“As a state lawmaker, I will continue working with every relevant agency and individual to find the best transportation solutions for Southwest Washington.”
Rep. Ley represents the 18th Legislative District.
Information provided by Washington State House Republicans, houserepublicans.wa.gov
Also read:
- Board authorizes C-TRAN to sign off on Interstate Bridge Replacement Program’s SEIS
The C-TRAN Board approved the Final SEIS for the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program, with Camas and Washougal opposing the vote over light rail cost concerns. - C-TRAN ridership grows for fourth consecutive year
C-TRAN ridership topped 5 million trips in 2025, marking the fourth straight year of growth. - Opinion: ‘If they want light rail, they should be the ones who pay for it’
Clark County Today Editor Ken Vance argues that supporters of light rail tied to the I-5 Bridge replacement should bear the local cost of operating and maintaining the system through a narrowly drawn sub-district. - Opinion: IBR falsely blaming inflation
Joe Cortright argues that inflation explains only a small portion of the IBR project’s cost increases and that rising consultant and staff expenses are the primary drivers. - Letter: The Interstate Bridge Replacement Program’s $141 million bribe can be better spent on sandwich steel-concrete tubes
Bob Ortblad argues that an immersed tunnel using sandwich steel-concrete tubes would be a more cost-effective alternative to the current Interstate Bridge Replacement Program design.
Thank you, John, for speaking up for (seemingly) the majority. Maybe someone “higher up” will put a stop to this fiasco!
Julie merideth seems to be a bought and paid for advocate for portlands light rail fiasco. You know this because she is continuing to push for light rail across the bridge against the will of Washitonians. As a representative of the people of Washington John Ley should be pushing back harder. Take a page out of the Democrats play book and sue the Washington Department of Transportation for transparency and accountability for their actions or lack therof