Program Updates
Construction Resources and Opportunities
The Interstate Bridge Replacement (IBR) program is constructing a safer multimodal connection for all travelers crossing the Columbia River, while also building stronger communities by supporting economic opportunity. Delivering the investments proposed by the IBR program will require thousands of workers skilled in trades ranging from concrete and steel to project management and quality assurance. A skilled and diverse workforce that is ready to meet the challenges of the future is critical to the program’s success.
What will be built?
The IBR Program will replace the aging Interstate Bridge across the Columbia River with a seismically resilient multimodal structure that provides safe and accessible options for driving, walking, biking, rolling, and riding transit. Proposed IBR program investments include:
- A new bridge west of the existing structure.
- Improvements to seven interchanges north and south of the Columbia River.
- Extension of light rail from the Expo Center in Portland to Evergreen Boulevard in Vancouver and associated improvements.
- Improvements for people who walk, bike, ride and roll.
- Addition of zero-emission express bus on shoulder across the bridge.
- Three through lanes and the addition of at least one auxiliary lane.
- Variable rate tolling for motorists using the river crossing to help finance improvements and manage traffic.
How will it be built?
The program developed a draft conceptual packaging plan that outlines how investments proposed for the program area will be constructed. It includes preliminary details on potential packages, cost estimates, delivery methods and which agency — WSDOT, ODOT, TriMet, C-TRAN — may deliver which contracts. These are initial proposals that can change as the program advances toward construction. Major construction is anticipated to begin with the Columbia River bridge and approaches and be sequenced throughout the program area. Early construction activities may occur in the program area to prepare for the bridge replacement work. Construction of the packages identified could last more than 10 years.
Projected price ranges for individual packages include design, right of way and construction costs. They are based on the program’s 2023 financial plan and will be refined as additional details are identified and estimates updated. The program will continue to seek feedback from contractors and other industry representatives, as well as look for opportunities to create smaller contract packages that encourage participation by small businesses and those owned by women and minorities. Packages listed below are in alphabetical order and do not reflect potential sequencing of work.
Construction Packages
- Bridge Approaches | 6-7 years | $720 million- 1.1 billion | Design Build or Progressive Design Build | WSDOT
Construct roadways and bridges that connect existing I-5 to the Columbia River replacement bridge. In Washington, this includes reconstruction of the SR-14 and City Center interchange and reconstructing I-5 up to Evergreen Boulevard, including a structure for an active transportation-centered community connector/lid in Washington. This includes connecting the new replacement bridge to the existing I-5 alignment and modifying on- and off-ramps to and from Hayden Island. Includes construction of shoulders on I-5 to accommodate bus on shoulder and improve safety, and construction of active transportation connections between the shared-use-path on the replacement bridge and the local streets in Oregon and Washington. Also constructs the structures for the light rail extension from the Columbia River Bridge to the terminus at Evergreen Blvd. and the structures that support the new transit stations at the waterfront and Evergreen Blvd. - Bus and BRT Infrastructure | 1-1.5 years | $3-5 million | Design Bid Build | C-TRAN
Install bus shelters along C-TRAN bus routes that will be adjusted to improve transit system connections. - Bus and Bus Rapid Transit Infrastructure | Less than a year | $30-45 million | Two-step Sealed Bid | C-TRAN
To purchase new C-TRAN express buses for additional express bus services. - Columbia River Bridge | 5-6 years | $1-1.5 billion | Design Build or Progressive Design Build | WSDOT
Construct the replacement I-5 bridge downstream of the existing bridge shore to shore over the Columbia River. This will include the construction of two new bridges to accommodate highway, active transportation and transit modes. Light Rail Track, System and Stations package will construct rail and system needs for transit. Includes construction of shoulders on I-5 to accommodate Bus on Shoulder and improve safety. - Columbia River Bridge Removal | 2.5-3 years | $120-180 million | Design Bid Build | WSDOT/ODOT
Remove the existing Interstate Bridge, including foundations below the riverbed, after traffic is shifted onto the replacement bridge. - Evergreen Boulevard Bridge | 2.5-3 years | $9-14 million | Design Bid Build | WSDOT
Replace the East Evergreen Boulevard overpass that crosses I-5 to allow for construction of follow-on projects and the realignment of I-5 during and after construction. Work on mainline I-5 under Evergreen Boulevard will occur as part of the Bridge Approaches package. - Evergreen Park and Ride | 1-1.5 years | $90-140 million | Design Build | WSDOT
Potential Park and Ride locations are being studied in the environmental process. Decisions regarding the locations of Park and Rides will be made after the public comment period of the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement. The program is considering options that include zero, one, or two Park and Rides. Package reflects conceptual underground multi-story parking structure. - Hayden Island Package A | 2-2.5 years | $55-85 million | CM/GC or Design Bid Build | ODOT/TriMet
Construct the structure that supports the light rail line extension and the new transit station on Hayden Island. This package also includes the I-5 southbound off-ramp adjacent to the light rail line and the on-ramp to southbound I-5. - Hayden Island Surface Streets | 2-2.5 years | $53-80 million | Design Bid Build | ODOT
Construction of the new extension of North Tomahawk Island Drive connection under the new I-5 alignment. Realignment of North Hayden Island Drive, North Jantzen Drive and North Center Avenue. Construction of the local road connection to the new local arterial bridge over North Portland Harbor. Includes construction of connections to active transportation and the shared use path on the replacement Columbia River Bridge. - Light Rail Overnight Facility | 1.5-2 years | $9-14 million | CM/GC | TriMet
Includes the construction of a new light rail overnight facility to provide storage and facilities for cleaning and minor maintenance for vehicles that will be purchased to support the extension of light rail as part of the IBR program. The location for this facility is still under consideration. - Light Rail Track, System and Stations | 3 years | $190-290 million | CM/GC | TriMet
Construct light rail tracks and systems from Expo Road to Evergreen Boulevard. This also includes construction of three new transit stations at Hayden Island, Vancouver waterfront and Evergreen Boulevard and reconstruction of the existing station at Expo Center. - Light Rail Vehicle Procurement | $190-290 million | Two-step Sealed Bid | TriMet
TriMet will purchase new light rail vehicles to provide service along the extension of the existing light rail line and to the new stations identified. - Marine Drive Interchange | 3-3.5 years | $240-360 million | CM/GC or Design Build | ODOT
Reconstruct the Marine Drive interchange with I-5. Work includes construction of on- and off-ramps between Marine Drive and I-5, construction of the on- and off-ramps leading to the arterial bridge and the partial interchange at Hayden Island, construction of local roadway and bike/pedestrian facilities under I-5 to connect Expo Road to North Marine Drive, relocation of ramps between MLK Blvd and Marine Drive, and connections to local roads and construction of active transportation facilities. This package completes reconstruction of the Marine Drive Interchange, which begins with Marine Drive Package A. - Marine Drive Package A | 2-2.5 years | $38-58 million | CM/GC or Design Build | ODOT/TriMet
Raise the section of Marine Drive immediately west of I-5, including the ramps, to accommodate the new alignment of light rail under Marine Drive. Work includes connections to I-5/Marine Drive, new light rail guideway, and revisions to N Expo Road, including active transportation connections. - Mill Plain | 3.5-4 years | $550-830 million | Design Build | WSDOT
Reconstruct the Mill Plain Interchange, including the northbound off-ramp to Fourth Plain Boulevard and replace the I-5 bridges over McLoughlin Boulevard. Includes construction of shoulders on I-5 to accommodate Bus on Shoulder and improve safety, and construction of active transportation facilities along Mill Plain Boulevard and Fourth Plain Boulevard. - North Expo Road | 2-2.5 years | $14-21 million | Design Bid Build | ODOT
Construct shared-use-path along the west edge of North Expo Road between the Expo Center light rail station and North Victory Boulevard. The package includes a long retaining wall on the west side, but no transit elements. - North Portland Harbor Bridge Removal | 2-2.5 years | $32-48 million | Design Bid Build | ODOT
Remove the existing I-5 bridges over the North Portland Harbor. North Portland Harbor Transit Bridge | 2-2.5 years | $35-53 million | CM/GC - TriMet. Construct the bridge that will support the light rail extension across the levee and over the North Portland Harbor to Hayden Island where it connects with the light rail structure in Hayden Island Package A. - Oregon I-5 Northbound | 3-3.5 years | $700 million- $1 billion | CM/GC or Design Build | ODOT
Reconnect ramps from North Victory Boulevard, North Denver Avenue to northbound I-5 and construct the ramp from Marine Drive over the North Portland Harbor to northbound I-5. This package also includes the ramp from Hayden Island to northbound I-5, the local arterial bridge with active transportation facilities over North Portland Harbor to Hayden Island and the northbound I-5 bridge over the North Portland Harbor. Includes construction of shoulders on I-5 to accommodate Bus on Shoulder and improve safety. - Oregon I-5 Southbound | 3-3.5 years | $640-960 million | CM/GC or Design Build | ODOT
Constructs the I-5 southbound alignment between the Columbia River replacement bridge and Victory Boulevard. The package includes the new I-5 bridge southbound over the North Portland Harbor, portions of the Marine Drive interchange and the braided ramp between Marine Drive and Victory Boulevard. Includes construction of shoulders on I-5 to accommodate Bus on Shoulder and improve safety. - Oregon Station Finishes | 1-1.5 years | $1-2 million | Design Bid Build | TriMet
Includes non-structural elements at one reconstructed station and one new light rail station in Oregon including way finding, ticketing, vending, signage, furniture, wind barriers, enclosures etc. - Pre-completion Tolling Signage | less than one year- $5-$6M | Design Bid Build | WSDOT/ODOT
Pre-completion tolling is targeted to start as early as the start of construction. To prepare for this, tolling signage will be installed throughout the corridor. - Ruby Junction TriMet Facility | 2 years | $45-65 million | CM/GC | TriMet
Modify TriMet’s existing Ruby Junction facility in Gresham to have enough space to maintain the additional light rail vehicles needed for the extension of the existing light rail line that is part of the IBR program. - 65th Street C-TRAN Operations & Maintenance Bus Facility | 1-1.5 years | $8-12 million | Design Bid Build | C-TRAN
Improvements to C-TRAN’s existing operations and maintenance facility to maintain new express buses needed to accommodate expected increased ridership resulting from IBR program transit investments. - SR 14 Package A | 2.5-3 years | $8-12 million | Design Bid Build | WSDOT
Install permanent retaining walls along the east side of I-5, temporarily adjust SR-14 and City Center existing ramps including their connections to local streets. This package facilitates the temporary shift of I-5 traffic eastward to ensure continued movement of traffic during construction of the I-5 Bridge Approaches contract. - Washington North | 4-4.5 years | $180-270 million | Design Build | WSDOT
Constructs the new braided ramp along southbound I-5 between SR 500 and Fourth Plain Blvd. Package includes replacing the 29th Street and 33rd Street overpasses, including active transportation elements. Includes construction of shoulders on I-5 to accommodate Bus on shoulder and improve safety. - Waterfront Park and Ride | 1-1.5 years | $30-45 million | Design Build | WSDOT
Potential Park and Ride locations are being studied in the environmental process. Decisions regarding the locations of Park and Rides will be made after the public comment period of the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement. The program is considering options that include zero, one, or two Park and Rides. Package reflects conceptual above ground multi-story parking structure. - Washington Station Finishes | 1-1.5 years | $1-2 million | Design Bid Build | WSDOT Includes non-structural elements on the two new light rail stations in Washington including way finding, ticketing, vending, signage, furniture, wind barriers, enclosures etc.
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