The Columbia River Crossing/I-5 Expansion Project has been the subject of considerable study, analysis and comment recently. Much of the comment centers around the fact that at this point only two options are being forwarded for further consideration: a no-build option, i.e. we keep ye same olde bridge or a new bridge option, meaning that we'd spend several billion dollars to build an entirely new facility with all the bells and whistles that a motorist/cyclist/pedestrian could desire.

Any decision involving exorbitant amounts of money, and integrating the concerns of multiple neighborhoods, states, industries and citizens is bound to include some controversy, and this one is no different. Folks have raised a lot of questions about the process and the outcomes to date. Primarily, there is skepticism about such a lengthy process that has yielded only 2 options, where one of the options (the no-build option) was deemed null and void from the beginning.

And on that note, I'll get to the point. There are a series of open houses approaching for folks to come out and see the proposals, ask questions, give comments and speak to staff from the Columbia River Crossing project. You've got questions, I know you do! The schedule and links to further information are below:

Open Houses

Narrow Range of Alternatives - January 2007

The Columbia River Crossing project invites you to attend an open house to learn about the bridge and transit alternatives proposed for in-depth analysis in 2007.

Comments received on the proposed alternatives will be considered by the Task Force and the project team as part of the decision making process.

2007 Open House Dates and Locations
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Battle Ground Police Department
507 SW 1st St., Battle Ground

Thursday, January 25, 2007
4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs (OAME)
4134 N Vancouver Ave., Portland

Saturday, January 20, 2007
9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Lincoln Elementary School
4200 NW Daniels St., Vancouver

Tuesday, January 30, 2007
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Hayden Island Yacht Club
12050 N. Jantzen Dr., Portland

Columbia River Crossing staff will also attend neighborhood and community meetings in Oregon and Washington to discuss the staff recommendation to local neighborhoods and business groups at their scheduled monthly meetings. Check our calendar of events for meeting dates and locations.

For calendar of events and all official materials:
Columbia River Crossing Project

For public discussion of the project:
Portland Transport

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