Program strengthens leadership team

Program Contact: Samantha Codi Walker, Interstate Bridge Replacement Program, 1-844-427-6397 (844-IBR-NEWS)  | media@interstatebridge.org

Megaprogram veteran Ron Paananen named Program Administrator; Carley Francis to lead program development

Vancouver, WA –

To strengthen the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program's readiness for construction, the Washington State Department of Transportation and the Oregon Department of Transportation today announced the hiring of a permanent program administrator.

Ron Paananen, a seasoned construction leader and professional engineer, will join the program Dec. 2. Carley Francis, who has served as Interim Program Administrator since January, will continue to support the IBR Program as Director of Program Development.

Together, the leadership team with Paananen and Francis brings the delivery expertise, program leadership, and bi-state relationships needed to move into construction. 

Paananen brings decades of experience delivering transportation programs to completion. For the past 21 years, he has held leadership roles on some of the nation's most complex megaprograms, including the Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program and the SR 520 Bridge Replacement and HOV Program in Washington, and the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge Replacement Project in Washington, D.C. He has extensive experience leading multidisciplinary teams and working with federal agencies, partner agencies, Tribes, community groups, elected officials and the media.

"As we move from planning into delivery, we are building a leadership team equipped for what megaprograms of this scale demand," said Washington Transportation Secretary Julie Meredith. "Ron has led some of the most complex infrastructure work in the country, and he knows what it takes to get from procurement to construction. His partnership with Carley, who brings years of experience in the region and on this program, positions us to deliver the new bridge and planned multimodal elements efficiently." 

"Oregon and Washington have worked side by side to bring this program closer to construction," said Chris Warner, interim director of the Oregon Department of Transportation. "This leadership team reflects our shared commitment to getting it right. Ron's delivery experience and Carley's long history with the program give us the combination of strengths we need for the next phase, and ODOT looks forward to continuing this work alongside our partners."

Before stepping into the Interim Program Administrator role, Francis served as the WSDOT Southwest Region Administrator and helped restart the IBR program in 2019. In her new role, she will focus on delivering the full 5-mile program vision, including extending light rail to Vancouver.

"I'm really proud of what this team has accomplished this year, from completing federal environmental review to launching the search for a contractor," said Francis. "Bringing on a leader with Ron's megaprogram experience is exactly what this program needs right now. I'm excited to work with Ron, our partners and the community to start construction and move the rest of the program forward."

“I’m honored to join the team at such an important moment,” said Paananen. “The program has built a strong foundation, including relationships with partner agencies, Tribes, elected officials and communities on both sides of the river. Successful megaprograms are built on relationships and trust. I look forward to strengthening both moving forward. My focus will be on execution: bringing a contractor on board, getting construction underway and keeping our partners and the public informed every step of the way.” 

Next steps 
Today’s announcement demonstrates additional progress for the program. The program is also in the process of hiring a contractor for the Columbia River Bridge Replacement project, which will include the replacement bridge and adjacent connections. The Request for Proposals is expected to be published Nov. 23, with contract award anticipated in 2027 and construction beginning in 2028.

About the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program

The IBR Program is a bi-state effort to replace the aging I-5 Interstate Bridge with a modern, seismically resilient multimodal corridor that addresses six critical transportation challenges in this area. These challenges include safety, congestion, earthquake vulnerability, impaired freight movement, a lack of transit options and inadequate and active transportation facilities.

The program’s mission is to improve safety for all users of the Interstate Bridge by addressing outdated roadway elements such as narrow lanes, a lack of safety shoulders and poor sight lines. Proposed investments are expected to reduce crashes, better accommodate the increase in travelers, improve emergency response, facilitate the movement of goods and services and support more reliable travel.

By relieving congestion and supporting mobility, program investments will help drive economic growth and keep the region competitive. Program development follows a transparent and data-driven process that includes collaboration with local, state, federal and tribal partners.