Bridge Options

The Columbia River Crossing project is considering two primary options to improve the way we cross the river in vehicles, on public transit, on bicycles or on foot:

1) Replace the Interstate Bridge

2) Build a supplemental bridge next to the Interstate Bridge

Replacement Bridge

The replacement bridge option under study calls for a new structure that is:

Five or six lanes in each direction and carries cars, trucks, transit, pedestrians and bicycles (three continuous lanes and two or three on/off lanes);
High enough for marine traffic and low enough to avoid Pearson Field airspace,
Built either immediately east or west (upstream or downstream) of the current I-5 bridges.

Benefits of a replacement bridge:

Additional travel lanes would improve safe traffic operations and travel times;
Short on/off ramps (interchanges) near the bridge would be lengthened to make merging safer;
Safety shoulders would be added;
Wider lanes and better connections would be created for pedestrian and bicycle access across the bridge;
Bridge lifts would be eliminated; and
Fewer bridge piers would make it easier for boats and barges to navigate the river.

Supplemental Bridge

The supplemental bridge option under study calls for a new structure that is:

Built immediately west (downstream) of the current I-5 bridges;
Designed to carry four lanes of southbound I-5 traffic as well as high capacity transit;
High enough to avoid bridge lifts that would disrupt the public transit system; and
Aligned with the existing bridges to prevent unnecessary weaving by marine traffic.

The existing I-5 bridges would:

Be re-striped to carry four lanes of northbound I-5 traffic;
Have standard safety shoulders;
Have wider paths for pedestrians and bicycles; and
Be retrofitted to meet current seismic standards to avoid collapse in the event of a major earthquake.

Benefits of a supplemental bridge:

Additional travel lanes would improve safe traffic operations and travel times;
Short on/off ramps (interchanges) near the bridge would be lengthened to make merging safer;
Standard safety shoulders would provide space for disabled vehicles; and
Wider lanes and better connections would be created for pedestrians and bicycles.