Lars Larson shares more concerns about the Oregon Department of Transportation and the I-5 Bridge replacement project
Lars Larson
The Northwest Nonsense
Remember ODOT?
The agency that claims it’s so short of cash it’s been forced to lay off hundreds of workers, most of them in red regions of Oregon?
The one threatening to short change snow plowing, fire evacuation duties and routine road maintenance.
Yeah, that bunch.
In the closing hours of the legislature last month, lawmakers ordered the state treasurer to borrow more than a quarter of a billion dollars specifically for ODOT.
(https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1/Downloads/MeasureDocument/SB5505 G.O. bonds under sub (6)
You’d think that would pay for a lot of regular daily ODOT obligations stuff. Only the money is allocated to the Interstate Bridge replacement project that, in my opinion, will never be built.
The Interstate Bridge project lacks billions in funding from both Oregon and Washington, lacks the required Coast Guard approval because its 60 feet too short to clear river traffic, and includes the hated light rail. It also allocates 54 percent of the bridge for bikes, peds and trains … and less than half to cars and trucks. It’s effectively smaller than the current Interstate Bridge.
The Abernathy 205 Bridge, halfway done … lacks the funding to finish.
Yet the Interstate Bridge replacement project gets 251 million 825-thousand bucks to keep paying folks to plan a dead bridge project?
The Oregon Legislature’s supermajority tried to get multiple billions of dollars for the incompetent management down at ODOT … and Gov. Tina Kotek refuses to install new leadership.
Also read:
- Opinion: ‘A more responsible approach must be sought’
Ken Vance argues a $10 billion funding gap makes the phased I-5 Bridge approach fiscally reckless, not responsible. - ‘Light rail to nowhere’? Surging costs undercut I-5 bridge transit plan
Vancouver’s promised light rail extension to Library Square has no timeline, and the waterfront station would sit 90 feet above ground. - Washington, Oregon transportation commissions to discuss Interstate 5 bridge tolling
Washington and Oregon commissions will jointly review I-5 bridge toll rate options and discount analysis on June 5. - County Public Works reminds residents to secure loads before hauling, to reduce dangerous roadside debris and litter
Unsecured vehicle loads cause more than 300 Washington crashes annually and dumped 150,000+ lbs of litter in Clark County in 2025. - Weekend paving work closes southbound I-205 entrance from I-5 in Vancouver May 29-31
Crews will use a smart work zone system with zipper merging to reduce delays during the I-205 closure.
