Brush Prairie resident Robert Mattilla shares the continued problems with plans for the I-5 Bridge replacement project
Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are those of the author alone and may not reflect the editorial position of ClarkCountyToday.com
The last time I checked, The Coast Guard, in charge of river traffic, and The Federal Aviation Administration, in charge of the airports, one on both sides of the river, are ninety feet apart on the height of the bridge. If they have not compromised in the 15 years of planning the bridge, they never will.

The best option I see is to expand the I-205 Bridge with another bridge on both sides of the existing ones, as there is no height problem there, and expand the roads leading to I-205. The other alternative would be to make the new bridges lift bridges. Otherwise it is a waste of time and money to keep on planning something that CANNOT BE BUILT.
I am not in favor of light rail, but putting it on the new bridge is not a good idea. If we can’t have a new bridge without it, put it on the railway bridge a mile west, or on the newer one of the existing bridges, the southbound one. In the case of a bridge lift, buses could fill in.
Bob Mattila
Brush Prairie
Also read:
- Opinion: IBR’s evasive, misleading and dishonest excuses for higher costJoe Cortright argues the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program has withheld detailed cost estimates while offering contradictory explanations for rising costs tied to the I-5 Bridge project.
- Rep. David Stuebe sponsors bill to strengthen enforcement of auto insurance laws and protect Washington driversRep. David Stuebe has introduced HB 2308, a bill aimed at strengthening enforcement of Washington’s auto insurance laws and increasing accountability for repeat uninsured drivers.
- Letter: Interstate Bridge Replacement’s Park & Ride insanityBob Ortblad criticizes the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program’s proposed Park & Ride garages, arguing the costs are excessive and unlikely to receive federal funding.
- Letter: Interstate Bridge Replacement $13.6 billion estimate is too low! Bob Ortblad argues the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program’s $13.6 billion cost estimate understates the true expense, citing comparable projects, construction challenges, and engineering assumptions.
- Opinion: ‘The drama and the waste of taxpayer money continues’Rep. John Ley outlines his objections to the approved fixed-span I-5 Bridge design, citing cost concerns, engineering standards, funding uncertainty, and opposition to light rail and tolls.






