Washington resurrects idea of new Columbia River bridge

The project to carry the Interstate 5 highway across the river that separates Washington and Oregon was finally closed down in 2014 after the Columbia River Crossing project had stalled (link opens in new tab). Cost estimates for the project had risen to more than US$3 billion.

Among the provisions of the bill passed this week is a clause to fund work to document existing information relating to the earlier construction plans. The bill also seeks to encourage establishment of a joint committee of stakeholders from Washington and Oregon to begin development of the project.