Ports support governors’ plans to advance bridge project

The Ports of Vancouver and Portland today announced their support of the Washington and Oregon governors’ letter stating the Columbia River Crossing Project move forward without delay.  The letter is in response to requests for further review of the project from City of Vancouver Mayor Tim Leavitt, Clark County Commissioner Steve Stuart, City of Portland Mayor Sam Adams and Metro Council President, David Bragdon.

“The Columbia River Crossing is bar none, the most important project in our region for freight and goods movement,” said Port of Vancouver Executive Director Larry Paulson. “In Clark County alone, over 66,000 people work in freight generating industries that rely explicitly on the I-5 crossing to move goods, services and freight to market – this project must move forward.”

The ports of Vancouver and Portland have participated in a decade-long effort to construct a new I-5 crossing, representing freight and goods movement interests on the project. The Interstate Bridge is a significant bottleneck on the West Coast, affecting freight flow in the region, and from Canada to Mexico.

“We respect the interest of Mayors Leavitt and Adams, and Commissioner Stuart and President Bradgon in ensuring this project fits the needs of the region,” said Port of Portland Executive Director Bill Wyatt. “We support reducing greenhouse gas and encouraging use of transit and other modes, but we cannot lose sight of the fact that this is a major freight project that will benefit the West Coast and the nation.”

The ports support efforts by the governors to form an expert review panel to provide assistance in assessing the project to address technical issues raised by Leavitt, Adams, Stuart and Bradgon.

Paulson said the Columbia River Crossing project has been vetted for many years, and a continued robust public discussion as the project advances is expected. The project is in a position to be included in federal reauthorization funding and other national transportation funding opportunities that are unique to this time. The ports back the governors’ efforts to move the project forward to meet these important deadlines.

###

Port of Vancouver USA Contact:
Nelson Holmberg
360-992-1107 - direct
360-518-2553 - mobile
nholmberg@portvanusa.com

Port of Portland Contact:
Josh Thomas
503-944-7054 - direct
503-805-8320 - mobile
joshua.thomas@portofportland.com