Interstate Bridge Replacement Should Carry Light Rail, Officials Say

PORTLAND, OR — Light rail to carry TriMet MAX trains across the Columbia River to Vancouver, Washington, should be a part of the replacement for the Interstate Bridge, according to the officials charged with studying the issue.

The Interstate Bridge Replacement Program's Executive Steering Group reached the conclusion after studying three major options: extending MAX service, extending Vancouver's C-TRAN service or running buses over the new bridge, it said.

The need to replace the bridge has been on the table for more than a decade. The last major effort — the Columbia River Crossing — fell apart in 2014 under the weight of disagreements between Oregon and Washington.

Including a mass transit option is necessary if the project wants to receive federal funds, according to regulations.

The steering group determined that light rail was preferable over buses for several reasons, including that it would have higher ridership capacity and that it would cost less in the long run, even though it would have a higher upfront cost, the group said.

The group added that light rail would have less of an effect on the environment.

Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle praised the option, saying that it "supports our community's future plans for growth and development, serves identified markets and known demand and integrates existing and future modes and investments to better serve the region.

"It also supports our stated goals for climate and equity," she added.

Not everyone supported the plan.

Rep. Jamie Herrera Beutler (R-Battle Ground), who represents the area, said that the plan "flies in the face of Southwest Washington voters who have soundly and repeatedly rejected bringing Portland's light rail to Washington state along with the massive cost, river traffic limitations and public safety concerns that come with it."

Steering group officials said that their recommendation is just one step and that there is much work to be done — including actually designing a bridge — before work begins.