Hayden Island resident Sam Churchill says the current proposal to replace the I-5 Bridge is ‘a 20-year-old plan’

Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are those of the author alone and do not reflect the editorial position of ClarkCountyToday.com

I am a 76-year-old, low-income person with no car. I live in the Hayden Island RV/Manufactured park (with 1,000 others). I agree the bridge needs to be replaced. I understand the need to eliminate the lift. I appreciate the constraints that civil engineers must deal with. Thank you for all your work. It’s a tough job.

But the current bridge plan hurts economic development on BOTH sides of the river. It’s a 20-year-old plan. Much has changed in 20 years. Autonomy. Tunneling. EVs. Community awareness.

Will decision makers be judged harshly when the $7.5 Billion project goes south? Where’s the money in a Trump administration?

– Van pools are cheaper and faster. NO parking. NO express trains (1 track).
– Eliminate Max to Vancouver. Saves $2 billion upfront (and the 90% subsidy).
– Park & Ride in Vancouver? Gimme a break.
– IBR REQUIRES building 5 miles of freeway AND steep access ramps — in EXTREMELY earthquake prone sandy soil.

The eight-lane Vancouver, BC tunnel planned for under the Fraser River, is comparable. It costs $4.1B total … and NO toll!

This doesn’t BEGIN to count the REAL impact for Hayden Islanders.

– The closing of 15-20 businesses on Hayden Island.
– The elimination of two dozen homes.
– A toll that KILLS the Hayden Island Mall.

The proposed bridge and freeway is expensive. Obsolete. Lower the cost. Enhance livability and access. Save the waterfront. An immersed tunnel is one possible solution. Why BUILD another Alaskan Way?

PLAN on autonomy. Make it mass transit free during commute times. Half the cost of IBR. Half the congestion.

Sam Churchill
Hayden Island resident