🎧 Immersed Tunnel vs. Light Rail: A 1% Alternative for I-5
Bob Ortblad says an immersed tunnel will be safer, less costly, faster to build, more earthquake-resilient, with environmental benefits
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 Interstate Bridge Replacement Program (IBR) plans to spend $3.5 billion on light rail to Expo Center with only two stations in Vancouver, neither station will serve the downtown center. The Waterfront Station (a goofy location 90 feet above ground) and Library Square Station will have park-and-ride garages for 1,270 cars.
Bob Ortblad
These stations are designed for commuters to connect to MAX light rail and will provide poor service to downtown Vancouver. For 1% of this cost, $35 million, electric buses with half a dozen stops could better connect Clark College, Downtown, and the Waterfront (at ground level) to the MAX Expo Station. The failed Columbia River Crossing’s light rail plan had similar station locations.
An immersed tunnel for through freeway traffic enables the repurposing of current bridges for local traffic and bus connection to MAX Expo Station. An immersed tunnel would have eight lanes, and repurposed bridges could maintain six lanes for local traffic or be restriped to four. One or both current pedestrian bridge paths could be expanded to new 14-foot paths at a fraction of the cost for the IBR planned path that has a terrible 100-foot climb.
An immersed tunnel will be safer, less costly, faster to build, more earthquake-resilient, with environmental benefits. Its sunken approaches reduce noise, pollution, and visual blight. Its cut-and-cover sections will enable waterfront parks on both banks of the Columbia River.
Bob Ortblad MSCE, MBA
Seattle
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