Cantwell Statement on Coast Guard Approval of Fixed-Span I-5 Bridge Proposal

Cantwell Statement on Coast Guard Approval of Fixed-Span I-5 Bridge Proposal

Cantwell's Mega grant program was created with project in mind, has contributed $600M to project; Under questioning by Cantwell at his nomination hearing, Coast Guard Acting Commandant Lunday committed to 1/16 deadline for decision on proposal

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Adm. Kevin E. Lunday, Commandant of the United States Coast Guard, announced that the Coast Guard has approved a fixed-span design for the proposed I-5 Portland to Vancouver bridge replacement. U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, which oversees the Coast Guard, released this statement:

"The Coast Guard's decision is a major step forward towards finally completing the U.S. Department of Transportation's environmental review and enabling construction to start later this year," said Sen. Cantwell. "This approval means the Coast Guard determined the new bridge doesn't need to have a lift, which will eliminate the only stoplight on Interstate-5, put an end to commute interruptions, and save millions in construction costs. The vast majority of the maritime community agrees that the new bridge design will not only allow river commerce to continue but also improve safe passage down the river. I appreciate Commandant Lunday and his team for honoring their commitment to listen to our local communities and swiftly complete their review."

The lift span over the current bridge opens an average of 250 times per year depending on river levels, with some years as high as 480 times a year, backing up traffic on an already congested corridor. The average lift stops traffic for 15-20 minutes.

The Coast Guard's decision came after a public comment period that solicited feedback from maritime interests in the area. The proposed new fixed-span bridge will provide 116 feet of clearance. Including a lift span would have added at least $400 million to construction costs.

Admiral Lunday was confirmed to his role by a voice vote of the U.S. Senate on December 18. At Lunday's Commerce Committee nomination hearing in November, Sen. Cantwell received a commitment from him to issue a decision about the bridge by January 16. She has continued to be in contact with Admiral Lunday about the I-5 Bridge proposal since his confirmation.

Last January, she secured a commitment from U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy during his Commerce Committee nomination hearing to honor the federal funding allocated by the Biden administration to projects already underway, including the I-5 bridge between Vancouver and Portland.

Sen. Cantwell has been a leading national voice for replacing the I-5 bridge. She created the National Infrastructure Project Assistance program, or Mega program, with the I-5 bridge in mind.

In December 2023, the project was awarded $600 million, the largest-ever grant through the program. In July 2024, the project received $1.5 billion in federal funds from the Bridge Investment Program (BIP), which was funded through the BIL. Federal grants announced so far, accounting for over $2.1 billion in funding.

A one-pager on Sen. Cantwell's history of leadership establishing the Mega program in the BIL, as well as championing the I-5 bridge replacement project overall, is available HERE.

In August 2024, Sen. Cantwell joined Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt to celebrate the $1.5 billion BIP grant. Video of that press conference is available HERE, audio HERE, photos HERE, and a transcript of Sen. Cantwell's remarks HERE.

In January 2024, Sen. Cantwell held a roundtable discussion with local leaders, stakeholders, and other federal officials. The group toured the I-5 bridge and discussed future funding opportunities for completion of the replacement project. [PRESS RELEASE | PHOTOS]

In spring of 2022, Sen. Cantwell toured the I-5 bridge along with local and regional leaders; photos of that tour are available for download HERE and video is HERE.

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