Retired engineer Bob Ortblad raises safety concerns about the I-5 Bridge replacement project
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
The Interstate Bridge Replacement Program (IBR) is bribing C-TRAN with a promise of eight double-decker electric buses in exchange for C-TRAN’s support of IBR’s freeway expansion and
dangerous bridge.
These double-decker buses will travel in a bus-on-shoulder lane only three feet from the guardrail The IBR’s bridge will have a steep 4 percent downgrade as well as a curve
plus a frequently wet or icy bridge deck.
AdditIonally, a 60 mph crosswind (occurring 175 hours/year) could potentIally blow a double-decker bus sideways and up and over the guardrail. A loaded bus of 80 riders could plunge 150 feet into the Columbia River or drop 100 feet onto downtown Vancouver.
The same deadly wind and road conditions will cause recreational vehicles, trailers, and empty semi-trucks to be blown out of their lane or completely over.
This is the latest example of IBR’s incompetent leadership. Previously, the IBR has fraudulently disqualified a safer Immersed tunnel alternative that would protect traffic from wind, rain, and ice.
Bob Ortblad MSCE, MBA
Retired Professional Engineer
Seattle
Also read:
- Four Western WA counties granted $6.6M in federal funds for road safety programs
Four Western Washington counties will receive $6.6 million in federal funding for road safety projects, including an EMS pilot program in Clark County. - VIDEO: WA and OR lawmakers irked as update on I-5 Bridge costs still missing
Washington and Oregon lawmakers expressed frustration after planners failed to provide updated cost estimates for the I-5 Bridge replacement during a recent legislative oversight meeting. - Opinion: Atmospheric River events mean even less clearance for vessels crossing under the proposed Interstate Bridge Plan
Neighbors for a Better Crossing argues that high river levels from atmospheric river events further reduce vessel clearance under the proposed Interstate Bridge design, creating long-term navigation risks on the Columbia River. - Letter: Worried about a replacement bridge?
Sharon Nasset raises concerns about congestion, bridge capacity, and unanswered questions surrounding inspections and decisions tied to the I-5 bridge replacement effort. - Opinion: IBR promotes ‘giving away’ historic interstate bridges while withholding cost estimate for replacement
Neighbors for a Better Crossing argues the IBR program is promoting demolition of the historic Interstate Bridges without releasing updated cost estimates or current seismic data to justify replacement.
