Replacement Bridge with Light Rail

This alternative includes construction of a new replacement bridge to carry I-5 traffic, light rail, express bus and bicycles and pedestrians across the Columbia River. Developed as a mid-level structure, the bridge would comply with vertical clearance requirements above the Columbia River for marine traffic and below Pearson Field airspace for air traffic. The mid-level height allows the bridge to be fixed-span structure with no bridge lift. The new bridge could be built either upstream or downstream of the existing I-5 bridges. Eventually, the existing bridges would be removed once the new bridge could accommodate traffic.

This bridge option would provide five or six travel lanes in each direction. Use of managed lanes is being considered.

In addition, light rail would serve as the high capacity transit mode for this alternative and involve a double-track extension from the Expo Center MAX Station in Portland to a park and ride station near downtown Vancouver. Exact transit alignment(s), terminals, and supportive park and ride facilities will be refined during the Draft Environmental Impact Statement process. Express bus service on I-5 also would be part of this alternative. Express bus service is combined with light rail to better serve transit needs in and beyond the project area. Express bus would serve long distance commuter markets by providing direct access to and from Clark County to downtown Portland during morning and evening peak commute hours.