IBR news: Draft SEIS, tolling options under discussion – The Interstate Bridge Replacement program (IBR, formerly known as the Columbia River Crossing bridge) has reached a couple of interim milestones.
First, the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) has been released and is open for public comment until Nov. 18. The draft SEIS identifies potential impacts and benefits of the proposed investments on transportation, the community and the environment, both during construction and in the future. Public input will help shape the solution that advances to the final SEIS.
The IBR Program is studying investments proposed by the Modified Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) and a No-Build Alternative to understand their impacts and benefits. The No-Build Alternative is used as a baseline to understand future conditions if none of the IBR investments are implemented. The Draft SEIS will provide details on topics such as travel times, air quality, cultural resources, property impacts, economics, equity and climate.
To review the draft SEIS, and to provide public comment, click here.
Meanwhile, the Washington and Oregon transportation commissions recently approved four separate tolling scenarios that will be further studied by the Bi-State Tolling Subcommittee which consists of two members from the Oregon and Washington transportation commissions. It advises the full transportation commissions, which will ultimately set the toll rates and policies in late 2025, about the time construction on the new I-5 bridge is expected to start.
Both Oregon and Washington have authorized tolling. Under the replacement program’s current financial plan, tolling is expected to contribute $1.24 billion out of an estimated $5 billion to $7.5 billion cost. The cost range under consideration for tolls is $1.55 to $4.70 for a one-way trip.
The total cost will vary depending on which bridge design the program chooses.
The four tolling scenarios all include a form of toll escalation, meaning toll rates will increase each year. Also included in all scenarios are weekend rates and a low-income tolling program that would cut tolls in half for eligible travelers.
The first scenario sets one-way tolls between $1.55 and $3.65. The second and third scenarios set one-way toll rates between $1.55 and $3.90. The fourth scenario sets one-way toll rates between $2 and $4.70. Rates vary pre- and post-completion.
The first three scenarios are targeted to reach $1.24 billion in toll funding. The fourth scenario aims a little higher at $1.6 billion.
The first scenario sees tractor trailers paying four times as much as smaller vehicles. The second and third scenarios see higher tolling rates for smaller vehicles and reduced tolls for tractor trailers. All three would raise rates 2.15 percent per year.
Meanwhile, the fourth scenario would raise tolls by 3 percent every two years. That’s because this scenario includes the highest toll rates. To offset that cost, it includes a lower escalation rate. Additionally, this scenario would see the low-income tolling program implemented as soon as possible. In the first and second scenarios, a low-income tolling program wouldn’t be implemented until the new bridge opens.
Now that the full transportation commissions have approved the four tolling scenarios, the Bi-State Tolling Subcommittee will conduct further research and analysis on those options. That analysis is expected to be completed around March.
For more information on the IBR program, visit its website here.