Lars Larson weighs in on the lack of answers from the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program leaders
Lars Larson
The Northwest Nonsense
See Grok’s analysis of this story
If you tolerate lies and dishonesty from the government, you’re guaranteed more.
Think about that as you absorb today’s news that government officials from Oregon and Washington have REFUSED to tell the people’s representatives the estimated cost of the Interstate Bridge replacement project.
A dozen years ago, these cheats promised lawmakers in both states the bridge would cost $3.5 billion to maybe $5 billion.
Then just a few years later, before the inflation of the Biden years, the cost jumped … $5 billion to maybe $7.5 billion. That was 2022.
Since then, these so-called “public servants” running the I-5 Bridge replacement project have refused to tell taxpayers their new cost estimate! Representative John Ley has been dogging this for years, but he can’t get the answer we all want.
The guy running the show, Interstate Bridge Replacement Program Administrator Greg Johnson, just announced he’s leaving his $300-000 a year job as captain of this financial Titanic.
I figure Johnson knows the new number will hit $10 billion or more … nearly three times the cost 12 years ago so he’s getting off the boat before it sinks.
Now, do you have any doubt, if you worked for a company, ramrodding a project, and the boss asked for a cost estimate and you told him “no,” that you’d be looking at a fresh pink slip?
Only the government doesn’t work that way round here.
This independent analysis was created with Grok, an AI model from xAI. It is not written or edited by ClarkCountyToday.com and is provided to help readers evaluate the article’s sourcing and context.
Quick summary
In this opinion column, Lars Larson criticizes Interstate Bridge Replacement Program officials for declining to share an updated cost estimate with legislators, argues that the lack of disclosure reflects government dishonesty, and speculates that outgoing administrator Greg Johnson is departing because anticipated project costs may exceed $10 billion.
What Grok notices
- Summarizes earlier cost ranges for the bridge replacement (about $3.5–$5 billion a decade ago and $5–$7.5 billion in 2022), giving readers a timeline for concerns about escalating estimates.
- Notes Rep. John Ley’s efforts to obtain updated figures and the program’s refusal to release them, framing the dispute as a transparency and oversight issue.
- Places Greg Johnson’s announced year‑end departure, and his compensation level, in the context of these unresolved cost questions.
- Mentions that some justification for delay centers on pending decisions, such as the U.S. Coast Guard’s ruling on bridge height, without detailing all technical factors involved.
- Reflects Lars Larson’s recurring themes about government accountability, taxpayer exposure to megaproject risk, and skepticism toward agency communications.
Questions worth asking
- Which specific elements—such as inflation, design changes, or added transit components—are contributing most to potential increases beyond the 2022 cost estimate?
- How could delays in releasing updated cost information affect federal grant timelines, state‑budget planning, or local partner contributions?
- In what ways might the U.S. Coast Guard’s eventual decision on navigation clearance and bridge height alter overall project design and cost?
- What formal tools do legislators and oversight bodies have to require more frequent or detailed financial updates from the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program?
- How do other states manage transparency, contingency planning, and public reporting for large transportation megaprojects during permitting and design phases?
Research this topic more
- Interstate Bridge Replacement Program – official updates on cost ranges, design alternatives, and schedule
- Washington State Department of Transportation – project reports, environmental documents, and legislative briefings
- Oregon Department of Transportation – bi‑state coordination information and funding details for the I‑5 bridge
- Federal Highway Administration – guidance on bridge projects, grants, and megaproject oversight
- U.S. Coast Guard Bridge Administration – information on navigation‑clearance determinations and permit decisions
Also read:
- Letter: Has $450 million been wasted on a bridge that’s too low for the Coast Guard with a foundation too costly to build?
A Seattle engineer questions whether hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent on a bridge design he argues is unnecessarily risky and costly compared to an immersed tunnel alternative. - Opinion: Transit agencies need accountability not increased state subsidy
Charles Prestrud argues that Washington transit agencies face rising costs and declining ridership due to governance structures that lack public accountability. - Opinion: Does tailgating cause speeding?
Target Zero Manager Doug Dahl examines whether tailgating contributes to speeding and explains why following too closely increases crash risk with little benefit. - Free fares on New Year’s Eve is a big hit with C-TRAN riders
C-TRAN’s New Year’s Eve free-fare program provided extended late-night service and a safe transportation option for riders across Clark County just after midnight. - 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.
