Opinion: Let’s build two new bridges

Johann Peters argues dropping light rail from the IBR would close a funding gap and free up capital for a second crossing east of I-205. Photo courtesy Andi Schwartz

🎧 Build Two Bridges — Drop the Rail, Cut the Cost

Johann Peters says we cannot wait any longer to start construction on new Columbia River crossings

Johann Peters
The Summit

Washington Governor Ferguson spoke at an Interstate Bridge Replacement Program (IBR) press conference in Vancouver on March 17. The governor said, “We’re building this damn bridge, that’s happening.” Once he got past the bravado, we heard the rest of the story. He said the I-5 Bridge replacement project, due to funding realities, will have to be built in “phases.”

According to new official estimates, the cost of the IBR mega-project is $14.4 billion. The Vancouver press conference was a reaction to this news. The governor said he didn’t want to look backwards and stressed the IBR was started before he was elected to run our state.

It is disappointing Gov. Ferguson is deflecting accountability for our state having nothing to show for $400 million already spent on designs and consulting for replacing the old bridges. Construction of a new bridge should have started a decade ago.

Deficit spending

There is currently $5.5 billion available for the estimated $7.65 billion bridge “phase.”

Gov. Ferguson constantly repeated how any new bridge will feature light rail. Other speakers also shared platitudes and promises regarding light rail. The press conference glossed over how a new bridge with rail is starting with a funding deficit.

The funding solution is simple: Leave the rail off the bridge and we find the $5.5 billion budget for a new span. And if there is an extra $1 billion in federal funds available, even better.

Instead of this kind of practical solution offering a nice new bridge, we’re instead being set up to fund another mega-project. Governor Ferguson is promising to bring the Sound Transit model to Clark County.

Big spending, big cost

Sound Transit has a big appetite for public expenditures. This special agency, which is unelected, estimates a $34.5 billion funding gap over the next two decades.

Car tabs in the three Sound Transit counties cost nearly three times more than areas outside. It’s reasonable to expect light rail cost overruns will be placed directly onto people like us, who depend on automobiles for transportation.

Homeowners also get hit. The Sound Transit Board recently approved a 1% property tax increase for 2026 to address rising project costs, raising estimated revenue to $183 million.

Gov. Ferguson came to town committing — so far — $2 billion of debt for us. We’re not in the same financial position as the Sound Transit area.

Median Household Incomes in Clark County are 22 percent lower than in King County. The gap between counties is due to King’s concentration of high-paying tech jobs like Amazon, Microsoft and other business giants.

Clark County residents are already struggling with the high cost of living, including transportation fuel, housing, groceries and more. We can’t afford more taxes for expensive government projects.

There is no final plan at this moment for the new I-5 Bridge so-called “phase.”

Let’s keep it simple — eliminating light rail for the new bridge should meet the current project funds of $5.5 billion. Dropping commuter trains will certainly guarantee avoiding the kinds of over-runs vexing Sound Transit area taxpayers who are burdened with exploding light rail costs.

We can also invest savings towards the construction of an East County bridge.

More jobs? I hear you! Let’s build a new bridge for I-5 and another east of I-205.

Indeed, we cannot wait any longer to start construction on new Columbia River crossings. Let’s have modern, safe bridges with more lanes accommodating freight and commuters in autonomous vehicles, including H.O.V. and transit bus lanes.

Johann Peters is on the Cascade Board of Directors serving in one of the positions for district 3/6.