Washington, Oregon governors meet to revive I-5 bridge replacement

i-5-bridge

Washington Governor Jay Inslee and Oregon Governor Kate Brown signed an agreement Monday to work together to replace the Interstate 5 Bridge that connects their two states.

The governors’ action reinvigorates a goal to replace the twin spans, which opened in 1917 and 1958.

The two-page memorandum of intent takes effect immediately and lasts for five years. It makes a handful of commitments, including opening a joint Oregon-Washington project office that will re-evaluate the purpose, need and permits for the failed Columbia River Crossing project, while also evaluating the scope of the project, as well as a schedule and budget for replacing the bridge.

A draft report by the project office, is scheduled to be released to the two states by December 1st, with a final report one year later.

The Columbia River Crossing started in 2004 as a bi-state megaproject. However, it came to a halt in 2013 when Washington lawmakers decided not to pay their share. (AP)