Interstate Bridge Replacement Program

Today we were thrilled to learn that our program received $1.499 billion through the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration's Bridge Investment Program grant! The BIP grant program offers competitive, discretionary funding for projects focused on replacing existing bridges to improve the safety and resiliency of transportation infrastructure across the country. Funds from this grant will be used to help construct the replacement of the aging Interstate Bridge across the Columbia River and other transportation improvements within the program corridor. Read the full press release: https://lnkd.in/gRgcrhJV

Chapter 1 of the Draft SEIS covers our purpose and need—improving I-5 corridor mobility by addressing present and future travel demand and mobility needs in the program area. https://lnkd.in/gx_dCS2H

Join us tomorrow, Saturday, October 26 for our last tabling event of the season! 🍂 We'll be at the Vancouver Farmers Market from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. to answer your questions about the program. Stop by and say hi after you pick up your favorite fall produce!

Thanks to everyone who joined us at the Portland Expo Center for our public hearing and open house event! IBR program staff—including design, transportation, right of way and environmental experts—met with community members to share information about the proposed investments and findings in the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement. Attendees were also able to submit their comments in writing, using an online form or verbally to a court reporter.

There's still time to comment on the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement! Join us for two upcoming virtual public hearings where you will be able to share your comments about the Draft SEIS documents with program staff. All public comments will be recorded, and a response will be documented in the Final EIS anticipated in 2025: Saturday, October 26, 12-2:30 p.m. https://lnkd.in/gpEU_b3K Wednesday, October 30, 6-8:30 p.m. https://lnkd.in/gwgA4p9r This event will have ASL interpretation and closed captioning in English and Spanish. If you need additional interpretation support, please call 888-503-6735 at least 48 hours in advance of the event.

Thanks for showing up, Vancouver. Last week we hosted an in-person public hearing and open house at Clark College. We appreciate everyone who dropped by to learn more about the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement and submitted a public comment.

Supporting economic development. Last month, we met with leaders from the U.S. Small Business Administration to celebrate the signing of a strategic alliance memorandum. This alliance effort is intended to connect small businesses to support services to help them be more competitive on IBR contracts.

Our Section 106 online open house is live! The public comment period for this important cultural resource work runs from today until November 18. https://lnkd.in/gca5pBhc Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act identifies historic properties potentially effected by federal undertakings and seeks ways to avoid, minimize or mitigate adverse effects on historic properties. We are seeking input from the public about properties that are culturally or historically important so those resources can be considered in federal project planning. Visit the open house website to learn more and provide feedback.

Seismic resiliency is an essential component of our program. This International #ShakeOut Day, watch our earthquake vulnerability video to learn more about how the Interstate Bridge will be affected in a seismic event and why replacing it is essential, then check out these earthquake preparedness resources for Oregon and Washington. ➡️ https://lnkd.in/g_5rsJNJ ➡️ https://lnkd.in/g8HeDWHz

Make your voice heard, Portland. Join us tomorrow, October 17, from 5:30-8:30 p.m for an in-person public hearing and open house at the Expo Center Exhibit Hall E2. Come learn about the findings in the Draft SEIS and provide an official comment!