A proposed East County Bridge would offer new traffic lanes and pedestrian paths without tolls or light rail — but would it move the region forward?
The idea of an East County Bridge—positioned east of the I-205 Glenn Jackson Bridge near 192nd Avenue—has resurfaced as a more affordable, common-sense alternative to the $7.5 billion I-5 Bridge replacement project. Proposed without tolls or light rail, the East County Bridge would add much-needed capacity and a new freight corridor between Clark County and Oregon. Supporters say it’s a faster, more practical solution to regional congestion. Opponents argue light rail and tolling must be part of the long-term plan.
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Opinion: ‘The obvious conclusion is to take a simpler, more affordable first step to improving our regional transportation issues’
Ken Vance urges support for the East County Bridge, a toll-free alternative to costly I-5 plans, citing past voter approval and faster, more affordable congestion relief...
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Also read:
- Board authorizes C-TRAN to sign off on Interstate Bridge Replacement Program’s SEIS
The C-TRAN Board approved the Final SEIS for the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program, with Camas and Washougal opposing the vote over light rail cost concerns. - C-TRAN ridership grows for fourth consecutive year
C-TRAN ridership topped 5 million trips in 2025, marking the fourth straight year of growth. - Opinion: ‘If they want light rail, they should be the ones who pay for it’
Clark County Today Editor Ken Vance argues that supporters of light rail tied to the I-5 Bridge replacement should bear the local cost of operating and maintaining the system through a narrowly drawn sub-district. - Opinion: IBR falsely blaming inflation
Joe Cortright argues that inflation explains only a small portion of the IBR project’s cost increases and that rising consultant and staff expenses are the primary drivers. - Letter: The Interstate Bridge Replacement Program’s $141 million bribe can be better spent on sandwich steel-concrete tubes
Bob Ortblad argues that an immersed tunnel using sandwich steel-concrete tubes would be a more cost-effective alternative to the current Interstate Bridge Replacement Program design.
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