Most Recent Comments

I urge you to prioritize public transportation and active transportation in the new bridge design. For the last twelve years I've worked in NW and downtown Portland. Several of our staff and many of our customers were from outside of Portland proper. One consistent area of stress and hardship for everyone was driving: unexpected traffic congestion, the cost of gas, and the cost/availability of parking. However, most people didn't have a safe, timely alternative. I had multiple coworkers from Vancouver, WA who very much didn't want to sit in rush hour traffic, pay to store their cars downtown all day, and then sit in traffic again, but they didn't have another viable option. Lots of working parents I know have just accepted that they'll spend hours of their day in a car if their children are to do any socializing or enrichment activities outside of school. With the Interstate Bridge Replacement, we have a chance to rethink how people move through this region. We can set up the next generation to spend hours a week sitting in the driver's seat staring at the bumper and brake lights in front of them as the air quality gets worse and worse. Or we can offer safe, efficient, affordable ways to get around without a car.

It seems to me that the planned interstate bridge as a single span is a poor compromise to serve the needs of Hayden Island, light rail, pedestrian/bicycle, heavy vehicles, and commuter/light vehicle traffic. Why not two spans, one higher fixed span for commuter/light vehicles and a second lower moveable span for Hayden Island (and connections to WA 14 and Marine Drive), light rail, pedestrian/bicycle and heavy vehicles. This dual span would seem to serve the different constituents better than a single fixed span which remains unable to meet the river navigation needs for the Columbia.

The Interstate Bridge Replacement project is an opportunity to get it right and have active transportation coupled with light rail. Protected from traffic but using the same road bed as the light rail. The corkscrew ramp that is nearly 1/2 mile long and 100 feet will be a disaster. I'm a bike rider and advise against building something that is a pain and actually discourages use. Thanks for listening!

You have made serious errors: the current design has the multi-use path on one side of the bridge and transit on the other, about 200 feet apart. We know multimodal trips are key for pedestrians and putting these transportation options side-by-side reduces out of direction travel, eases transfers, and has a number of additional benefits. The multi-use path should be next to the MAX line, not on opposite sides of the bridge as it is currently designed.

More than 3,000 Hayden Island residents, as well as many businesses, are at ground zero of IBRP's proposed new bridge, and will all be directly impacted, for many years. Since the massively over-scaled proposed IBRP bridge project, (that is following closely in the footsteps of the CRC, and with a price tag that we can't really afford), may take up to 15 YEARS to complete, the IBRP plan of temporarily relocating homes or businesses simply seems unrealistic. Many local businesses and related jobs will in fact be lost, probably forever. The arrival of essential goods by freight will immediately take a huge hit due to increased delays and detours, (and tolls) - and time is money! There could also be an increased risk of spoilage of perishables. The busy island shopping center will be at high risk of failure due to greatly decreased numbers of shoppers because they will want to avoid going to areas that are burdened with heavy equipment and construction work, polluted air, sustained noise and vibrations, extensive island street and road changes, traffic disruptions, detours and rerouting to the busy I-205. TOLLING in both directions, (needed because of how incredibly expensive this proposed IBRP bridge will be to build), will impact the freight trucks that have more axels, and this added tolling cost for the companies or contractors will end up being added onto the costs of the goods and services. This is going to particularly impact families and people on limited incomes. During the time construction work is being done for the proposed IBRP bridge, the health and well-being of Hayden Island's residents will be negatively impacted by most of the same issues as the businesses. The local businesses and the shopping center that many island residents depend on for jobs or supplies will be affected. Residents will have to cope with all of the heavy equipment and construction work around them, polluted air, sustained noise and vibrations, extensive island street and road changes, traffic disruptions, and detours and rerouting. TOLLING will also have a huge negative impact on residents, and they are really concerned. As it turns out, the claims of overall benefits to Hayden Island made by IBRP and others not living on the island, are incorrect. Instead, there will be a huge negative impact that undermines the ability of the island community to thrive and survive. Communities matter, and at a time when there is such a great need for housing, all established communities, especially those with a large low-income population, need to be strongly protected. Communities should not be considered or treated as collateral damage. The lessons of the tragedy that happened to the once thriving Albina community need to be learned. Please design a river crossing that is affordable, and that will have far less destructive impacts on the environment and on the Hayden Island community, and Vancouver. Design a river crossing that also adheres to the U.S. Coast Guard's mandate of a vertical height of 178 feet, required for the safe navigation passage for normal and emergency river traffic. The U.S. Coast Guard recommended a bascule-style bridge, or a tunnel. It is important that this recommendation is taken very seriously. Thank you.

Please make this bridge both usable and iconic. It is the gateway to Oregon or Washington. It will be there a long time. Usable and Iconic can go together.. Make is safe for motorized vehicles and human powered vehicles along with pedestrians. This is a geographically beautiful region. Please give a bridge that responds to the natural beauty and shows the world what human engineers can make to last a long time.

I am writing in regards to the planned acquisition by the IBR of the Historic Lucky Lager building located at 215 W 4th Street in downtown Vancouver. In the recently published SEIS, the building is shown to be acquired (as one of three options) for a parking garage for light rail. The other two options for the garage are located on vacant or relatively vacant land nearby. My husband and I purchased this building in 2007 and updated it into a modern office building. I urge the IBR not to tear down a historic building, fully occupied by six commercial tenants and about 80 employees, to build a parking garage. It is the height of absurdity to build any parking garages downtown, and even more absurd to choose to tear down a working, historic building instead of using vacant or near-vacant land instead. During the last iteration of this project, the CRC also had our building listed for acquisition for a parking garage. Since that time there have been several large parking garages built in the nearby waterfront. Do we really need more parking garages downtown? We urge the IBR to act reasonably and take this building off of the SEIS acquisition list.

As a citizen concerned about the economy, climate, and our children's future, we must recognize that a project like this needs to account for the future needs of our transportation system with regard to adaptability, safety, public health and transportation choice. Freeway expansion that treats public transit, biking and walking as afterthoughts fails to meet the needs of all transportation modes and will lock us into decades of expensive, inflexible and unsustainable automobile dependency. This dependency will only serve to further burden our economy with maintenance expenses, and additional retrofitting costs if/when we realize decades down the road that we failed to build the kind of multimodal bridge that has long benefitted users in Europe and Asia. Please ensure that this project not only allows for public transit, biking and walking, but prioritizes these modes in a way that truly incentivizes behavioral shift. If a bridge is intended to move SOV drivers through at 60 mph but still takes transit users an hour to travel the 9 miles between downtown Vancouver and downtown Portland, do we really believe models claiming that induced demand will not apply here? With the rise of e-bikes, potential bike users could in theory have a commute of less than 40 minutes, but this will not happen if their route is indirect, noisy, dangerous and hostile. Please ensure that this bridge prioritizes the safety and comfort of those choosing lower-impact modes of travel over the speed of SOVs. This means less money and road space dedicated to auxiliary lanes, and more to dedicated bus and rail lanes as well as bike and pedestrian paths fully separated from vehicle and freight traffic. Thank you, Melissa Kostelecky MS, Environmental Policy and Management

Please see attached PDF for Intertwine Alliance comments on the Draft SEIS for the Interstate Bridge Replacement Project, calling for more focus on usability for active transportation and public transportation users, connectivity with the regional trails system, and environmental/climate impacts.

The I 5 bridge replacement proposal needs to improve. The DSEIS does not provide sufficient justification for a second auxiliary lane. Prioritizing a streamlined project focused on bridge replacement, transit enhancements, and active transportation—without extensive freeway expansion—would be more beneficial and cost-effective.

The bridge design shown is significantly less aesthetically pleasing than the current bridge. Could the concrete be used as a "canvas" for artwork such as representations of the original bridge, other features of the Portland-Vancouver area (perhaps historic Vanport in particular), and/or Native culture (if local Native artists are available and interested)?

Active transport infrastructure will not in actuality reduce emissions or traffic congestion if heat and safety (actual or perceived) make it unusable for the average person. If these issues cannot be fixed, the impact analysis should not take credit for hypothetical benefits.

As I'm sure the project's transportation engineers are aware, increases in standard vehicle lanes can only reduce congestion up to a point. Even if the throughput from proposed additional lanes overcomes induced demand on the bridge and result in a net decrease in congestion with current crossing traffic levels or those of the near future, eventually population growth will overwhelm any benefits. This means that the proposed public transit and active transportation additions are essential, and the recommendations from the Just Crossing Alliance should be implemented. Public transit and active transport, if implemented well, would divert significant traffic away from the main lanes, side-stepping induced demand and congestion and allowing for a much faster and more pleasant experience for those who need or strongly prefer to use private vehicles (shipping, tradesworkers, emergency responders, etc.).

The transit stops and multi-use paths should be adjacent to better facilitate transfers. Both the stops and path should also extend beyond the current proposal on the Vancouver side to avoid the incredible 100ft elevation gain ramp. There should also be better transit and bike connectivity with stops on the Portland side because the current Kenton neighborhood area stop alone is not enough.

The focus of the Interstate Bridge Replacement must prioritize safety, sustainability, and long-term maintenance. Given the significant costs involved, the project must enhance public infrastructure to serve all modes of transportation and mitigate negative impacts on local communities. The proposed project may lead to a 62% increase in Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT), according to a study conducted by Just Crossing Alliance, which could worsen congestion, increase air pollution, and negatively affect water quality. Local communities in Portland and Vancouver are at risk of greater noise pollution and environmental degradation. A reliable health impact assessment must be conducted to understand and address the potential risks of these changes, particularly for vulnerable neighborhoods near the bridge. To achieve a more sustainable and equitable solution, the project should focus on improving safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and public transportation users. This includes ensuring safe, efficient routes for multimodal commuters while avoiding pedestrian exposure to high-traffic freight areas. The project should be at most what is necessary for improving congestion with sufficient justification, and prioritize enhancements to public transportation without excessive infrastructure expansion. Focusing on these priorities will ensure the project is cost-effective and better aligned with community needs.

The focus of the Interstate Bridge Replacement must prioritize safety, sustainability, and long-term maintenance. Given the significant costs involved, the project must enhance public infrastructure to serve all modes of transportation and mitigate negative impacts on local communities. The proposed project may lead to a 62% increase in Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT), according to a study conducted by Just Crossing Alliance, which could worsen congestion, increase air pollution, and negatively affect water quality. Local communities in Portland and Vancouver are at risk of greater noise pollution and environmental degradation. A reliable health impact assessment must be conducted to understand and address the potential risks of these changes, particularly for vulnerable neighborhoods near the bridge. To achieve a more sustainable and equitable solution, the project should focus on improving safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and public transportation users. This includes ensuring safe, efficient routes for multimodal commuters while avoiding pedestrian exposure to high-traffic freight areas. The project should be at most what is necessary for improving congestion with sufficient justification, and prioritize enhancements to public transportation without excessive infrastructure expansion. Focusing on these priorities will ensure the project is cost-effective and better aligned with community needs.

The focus of the Interstate Bridge Replacement must prioritize safety, sustainability, and long-term maintenance. Given the significant costs involved, the project must enhance public infrastructure to serve all modes of transportation and mitigate negative impacts on local communities. The proposed project may lead to a 62% increase in Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT), according to a study conducted by Just Crossing Alliance, which could worsen congestion, increase air pollution, and negatively affect water quality. Local communities in Portland and Vancouver are at risk of greater noise pollution and environmental degradation. A reliable health impact assessment must be conducted to understand and address the potential risks of these changes, particularly for vulnerable neighborhoods near the bridge. To achieve a more sustainable and equitable solution, the project should focus on improving safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and public transportation users. This includes ensuring safe, efficient routes for multimodal commuters while avoiding pedestrian exposure to high-traffic freight areas. The project should be at most what is necessary for improving congestion with sufficient justification, and prioritize enhancements to public transportation without excessive infrastructure expansion. Focusing on these priorities will ensure the project is cost-effective and better aligned with community needs.

The focus of the Interstate Bridge Replacement must prioritize safety, sustainability, and long-term maintenance. Given the significant costs involved, the project must enhance public infrastructure to serve all modes of transportation and mitigate negative impacts on local communities. The proposed project may lead to a 62% increase in Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT), according to a study conducted by Just Crossing Alliance, which could worsen congestion, increase air pollution, and negatively affect water quality. Local communities in Portland and Vancouver are at risk of greater noise pollution and environmental degradation. A reliable health impact assessment must be conducted to understand and address the potential risks of these changes, particularly for vulnerable neighborhoods near the bridge. To achieve a more sustainable and equitable solution, the project should focus on improving safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and public transportation users. This includes ensuring safe, efficient routes for multimodal commuters while avoiding pedestrian exposure to high-traffic freight areas. The project should be at most what is necessary for improving congestion with sufficient justification, and prioritize enhancements to public transportation without excessive infrastructure expansion. Focusing on these priorities will ensure the project is cost-effective and better aligned with community needs.

The focus of the Interstate Bridge Replacement must prioritize safety, sustainability, and long-term maintenance. Given the significant costs involved, the project must enhance public infrastructure to serve all modes of transportation and mitigate negative impacts on local communities. The proposed project may lead to a 62% increase in Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT), according to a study conducted by Just Crossing Alliance, which could worsen congestion, increase air pollution, and negatively affect water quality. Local communities in Portland and Vancouver are at risk of greater noise pollution and environmental degradation. A reliable health impact assessment must be conducted to understand and address the potential risks of these changes, particularly for vulnerable neighborhoods near the bridge. To achieve a more sustainable and equitable solution, the project should focus on improving safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and public transportation users. This includes ensuring safe, efficient routes for multimodal commuters while avoiding pedestrian exposure to high-traffic freight areas. The project should be at most what is necessary for improving congestion with sufficient justification, and prioritize enhancements to public transportation without excessive infrastructure expansion. Focusing on these priorities will ensure the project is cost-effective and better aligned with community needs. No more cars

The focus of the Interstate Bridge Replacement must prioritize safety, sustainability, and long-term maintenance. Given the significant costs involved, the project must enhance public infrastructure to serve all modes of transportation and mitigate negative impacts on local communities. The proposed project may lead to a 62% increase in Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT), according to a study conducted by Just Crossing Alliance, which could worsen congestion, increase air pollution, and negatively affect water quality. Local communities in Portland and Vancouver are at risk of greater noise pollution and environmental degradation. A reliable health impact assessment must be conducted to understand and address the potential risks of these changes, particularly for vulnerable neighborhoods near the bridge. To achieve a more sustainable and equitable solution, the project should focus on improving safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and public transportation users. This includes ensuring safe, efficient routes for multimodal commuters while avoiding pedestrian exposure to high-traffic freight areas. The project should be at most what is necessary for improving congestion with sufficient justification, and prioritize enhancements to public transportation without excessive infrastructure expansion. Focusing on these priorities will ensure the project is cost-effective and better aligned with community needs. Please don’t replace the bridge; instead focus on sustainability and improving safety for non-driving forms of transportation. As a driver this is still a priority for me.

The focus of the Interstate Bridge Replacement must prioritize safety, sustainability, and long-term maintenance. Given the significant costs involved, the project must enhance public infrastructure to serve all modes of transportation and mitigate negative impacts on local communities. The proposed project may lead to a 62% increase in Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT), according to a study conducted by Just Crossing Alliance, which could worsen congestion, increase air pollution, and negatively affect water quality. Local communities in Portland and Vancouver are at risk of greater noise pollution and environmental degradation. A reliable health impact assessment must be conducted to understand and address the potential risks of these changes, particularly for vulnerable neighborhoods near the bridge. To achieve a more sustainable and equitable solution, the project should focus on improving safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and public transportation users. This includes ensuring safe, efficient routes for multimodal commuters while avoiding pedestrian exposure to high-traffic freight areas. The project should be at most what is necessary for improving congestion with sufficient justification, and prioritize enhancements to public transportation without excessive infrastructure expansion. Focusing on these priorities will ensure the project is cost-effective and better aligned with community needs. This interstate will add traffic and work against our climate goals. Please do not built it!

The focus of the Interstate Bridge Replacement must prioritize safety, sustainability, and long-term maintenance. Given the significant costs involved, the project must enhance public infrastructure to serve all modes of transportation and mitigate negative impacts on local communities. The proposed project may lead to a 62% increase in Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT), according to a study conducted by Just Crossing Alliance, which could worsen congestion, increase air pollution, and negatively affect water quality. Local communities in Portland and Vancouver are at risk of greater noise pollution and environmental degradation. A reliable health impact assessment must be conducted to understand and address the potential risks of these changes, particularly for vulnerable neighborhoods near the bridge. To achieve a more sustainable and equitable solution, the project should focus on improving safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and public transportation users. This includes ensuring safe, efficient routes for multimodal commuters while avoiding pedestrian exposure to high-traffic freight areas. The project should be at most what is necessary for improving congestion with sufficient justification, and prioritize enhancements to public transportation without excessive infrastructure expansion. Focusing on these priorities will ensure the project is cost-effective and better aligned with community needs. Building more exclusively car centered roads is a step backwards not forwards! Invest in sustainable transportation!

The focus of the Interstate Bridge Replacement must prioritize safety, sustainability, and long-term maintenance. Given the significant costs involved, the project must enhance public infrastructure to serve all modes of transportation and mitigate negative impacts on local communities. The proposed project may lead to a 62% increase in Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT), according to a study conducted by Just Crossing Alliance, which could worsen congestion, increase air pollution, and negatively affect water quality. Local communities in Portland and Vancouver are at risk of greater noise pollution and environmental degradation. A reliable health impact assessment must be conducted to understand and address the potential risks of these changes, particularly for vulnerable neighborhoods near the bridge. To achieve a more sustainable and equitable solution, the project should focus on improving safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and public transportation users. This includes ensuring safe, efficient routes for multimodal commuters while avoiding pedestrian exposure to high-traffic freight areas. The project should be at most what is necessary for improving congestion with sufficient justification, and prioritize enhancements to public transportation without excessive infrastructure expansion. Focusing on these priorities will ensure the project is cost-effective and better aligned with community needs.

The focus of the Interstate Bridge Replacement must prioritize safety, sustainability, and long-term maintenance. Given the significant costs involved, the project must enhance public infrastructure to serve all modes of transportation and mitigate negative impacts on local communities. The proposed project may lead to a 62% increase in Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT), according to a study conducted by Just Crossing Alliance, which could worsen congestion, increase air pollution, and negatively affect water quality. Local communities in Portland and Vancouver are at risk of greater noise pollution and environmental degradation. A reliable health impact assessment must be conducted to understand and address the potential risks of these changes, particularly for vulnerable neighborhoods near the bridge. To achieve a more sustainable and equitable solution, the project should focus on improving safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and public transportation users. This includes ensuring safe, efficient routes for multimodal commuters while avoiding pedestrian exposure to high-traffic freight areas. The project should be at most what is necessary for improving congestion with sufficient justification, and prioritize enhancements to public transportation without excessive infrastructure expansion. Focusing on these priorities will ensure the project is cost-effective and better aligned with community needs. Bad for the environment/climate, bad for Portland, no bridge!!!!!!!

The focus of the Interstate Bridge Replacement must prioritize safety, sustainability, and long-term maintenance. Given the significant costs involved, the project must enhance public infrastructure to serve all modes of transportation and mitigate negative impacts on local communities. The proposed project may lead to a 62% increase in Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT), according to a study conducted by Just Crossing Alliance, which could worsen congestion, increase air pollution, and negatively affect water quality. Local communities in Portland and Vancouver are at risk of greater noise pollution and environmental degradation. A reliable health impact assessment must be conducted to understand and address the potential risks of these changes, particularly for vulnerable neighborhoods near the bridge. To achieve a more sustainable and equitable solution, the project should focus on improving safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and public transportation users. This includes ensuring safe, efficient routes for multimodal commuters while avoiding pedestrian exposure to high-traffic freight areas. The project should be at most what is necessary for improving congestion with sufficient justification, and prioritize enhancements to public transportation without excessive infrastructure expansion. Focusing on these priorities will ensure the project is cost-effective and better aligned with community needs. No bridge pretty please