The Columbia River Bridge Replacement Project, a major component of the International Bridge Replacement (IBR) project, is beginning to move from the planning stage to implementation. WSDOT has issued a Request for Qualifications to provide Progressive Design-Build Services for the project, with a submittal due date of September 30, 2026, with a contractor expected to be hired in 2027. The estimated value of the bridge replacement phase is $3.3 billion-$3.9 billion. Click here for contract summary information.
The Interstate Bridge Replacement Program achieved a major milestone in July, completing its federal environmental review. This significant step forward allows the program to move toward construction. Specifically, this federal approval clears the way for Washington and Oregon to begin identifying a contractor and securing permits to replace the Interstate 5 bridge over the Columbia River.
The Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration issued an Amended Record of Decision for the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program. This step marks the completion of federal National Environmental Policy Act review. The milestone is the result of decades of planning and coordination between Oregon and Washington to replace the I-5 bridge connecting Portland, Ore., and Vancouver, Wash., one of the most vital and vulnerable structures on the West Coast. The decision follows the April 17 publication of the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement.
“With this approval, our focus is squarely on execution — advancing procurement and ensuring the systems and structures that megaprojects of this scale demand are in place as we transition to construction,” said Washington Transportation Secretary Julie Meredith. “Our bi-state partnership continues, and we are drawing on proven experience to build the tools and oversight needed to deliver this project responsibly and efficiently. We are ready to take this first step toward turning the vision into reality, and we will work closely with our partners and the public every step of the way.”
In the coming months, the IBR Program will complete work to secure the necessary permits to begin construction and obligate the remaining grant funding. With the Amended Record of Decision in hand, the program will advance a first funded phase of construction with the $5.7 billion in available local, state and federal funding.
This first phase includes:
- Replacing the existing Interstate Bridge with a new, more earthquake-ready bridge providing a shared-use path and space for future construction of light rail.
- Connecting the replacement bridge to I-5 in Oregon and Washington.
- Connecting Hayden Island and SR 14 to I-5.
- Advancing transit system design in alignment with federal transit grant requirements.
- Building toll infrastructure to begin collection in 2028.
- Removing the existing Interstate Bridge.
Click here to visit the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program for more information.