Program News

April Newsletter 2024

March Newsletter 2024

February Newsletter 2024

January Newsletter 2024

Interstate Bridge Replacement program awarded $600 million in USDOT Mega Grant Program funding

Federal support demonstrates multimodal Interstate Bridge replacement is national priority  

December Newsletter 2023

November Newsletter 2023

The November newsletter focuses on the release of the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement in early 2024, informs on geotechnical drilling under the Columbia River, and summarizes recent community engagement activities and feedback. 

October Newsletter 2023

The October newsletter introduces the newly formed Community Benefits Advisory Group that will focus on recommendations for community benefit efforts. Take a look to learn more and see how we've been engaging the community. 

Community Benefits Advisory Group

Interstate Bridge Replacement program to hold kickoff meeting for Community Benefits Advisory Group.

Group will recommend ways to leverage program work to achieve greatest benefits for the community 

September Newsletter 2023

The September newsletter covers funding updates including the recently submitted application for the USDOT National Infrastructure Project Assistance (Mega) program. It also highlights up and coming community engagement events. 

Community engagement grants

Interstate Bridge Replacement program opens second round of community engagement miniature grants.

Grant program offers funding to facilitate engagement and expand program involvement for equity priority communities

August Newsletter 2023

The August newsletter covers updates from the July Bi-State Legislative Committee meeting and announces IBR office hours; an opportunity for community members to connect directly with the IBR team. 

July Newsletter 2023

The July newsletter highlights IBR Design Manager Matt Deml and features a new release of "Transparent Transportation", where Program Administrator Greg Johnson dives headfirst into our social media comments.

June Newsletter 2023

The June Newsletter highlights new bridge visualizations and focuses on how the program is prioritizing equitable engagement.

May Newsletter 2023

The May Newsletter features Jim Ruddell, IBR Program Manager, and announces new in-person engagement events this spring. Hope to see you there!

April Newsletter 2023

The April Newsletter highlights the importance of the National Environmental Policy Act and what it means for the program, and spotlights Hayli Reff, IBR Cultural Resources Program Manager.

March Newsletter 2023

The March Newsletter highlights the economic benefits the IBR program will bring and summarizes our recent community engagment events. In honor of Women's History Month, we feature women leaders in transportation and how they navigate challenges and contribute to what has been traditionally considered a male-dominated field.

February Newsletter 2023

The February Newsletter recognizes yet another year for the aging Interstate Bridge, now 106, and provides information on why a replacement is time-sensitive. In honor of Black History Month, we reflect on discussions regarding the impact that large infrastructure programs have had on Black communities.

January Newsletter 2023

The January Newsletter highlights program milestones in 2022 and provides information on the new cost estimate and the Preliminary Economic Impact Analysis. 

New cost estimate for Interstate Bridge Replacement

Interstate Bridge Replacement program announces new $6 billion cost estimate.
New estimate reflects current conditions, risks and opportunities

December Newsletter 2022

The December newsletter highlights program milestones in 2022 and introduces Kristin Leonard, our new Public Affairs Advisor.  

November Newsletter 2022

The November edition provides information on the recently awarded Federal Bridge Investment Program grant and highlights new members of the IBR executive leadership team. 

IBR program awarded $1 million federal Bridge Investment Program grant

The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration announced this week that the bi-state Interstate Bridge Replacement program has been awarded a $1 million Bridge Investment Program Planning Grant. 

October Newsletter 2022

The October edition covers earthquake preparedness, Interstate Bridge maintenance, and program highlights. 

September Newsletter 2022

This fall, the IBR program begins environmental evaluation of the Modified Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) as required by federal law. Learn more about the process and next steps in our September 2022 newsletter. 

August Newsletter 2022

The August edition provides updates on the Modified LPA Recommendation, the environmental review process, and features a video of the program area.  

Regional partners endorse Modified Locally Preferred Alternative

Regional consensus on foundational elements to study in the federal environmental review process moves the IBR program into the next phase of the process

July Newsletter 2022

The July edition provides updates on the Modified LPA Recommendation, the Coast Guard reccomendation for the bridge height, and progress made at Advisory meetings.  

U.S. Coast Guard required clearance

The IBR program respects the Coast Guard’s focus on preserving navigation for the nation and is committed to working with the agency to identify a bridge replacement solution with a navigational clearance that addresses the needs of all users.

June Newsletter 2022

The June edition features a Q&A video with Program Administrator, Greg Johnson about the current status of the IBR program, debunks commonly heard myths, and updates the community on advisory group progress.  

May Newsletter 2022

Featuring the IBR program recommendation for the Modified LPA and a new video from Director Kris Strickler, ODOT. 

April Newsletter 2022

Climate-Smart Solutions, Tolling Information, Hayden Island/Marine Drive Interchange Analysis and more.

March Newsletter

Black History Month roundtable event recap, Senator Annette Cleveland & Representative Susan McLain, High-Capacity Transit Analysis and more!

February Newsletter

Fall Community Engagement Report | Now Available

Program Administrator, Greg Johnson, dives headfirst into social media comments in our latest video series, Transparent Transportation.

Hayden Island and Marine Drive technical screening analysis underway

January Newsletter

Year in Review:
A highlight of our outreach efforts and program accomplishments for 2021, along with opportunities to participate in 2022. 

December Newsletter

Featured this month:
Learn about Preliminary Design Options and hear from Senator Beyer on why replacing the Interstate Bridge is essential. 

November Newsletter

Featured this month:
Fall Engagement Opportunities - Visit our online open house and attend a community briefing. 
Earthquake Vulnerability - Watch how the Interstate Bridge could be impacted in a seismic event.

October Newsletter

Featured this month:
Representative Sharon Wylie of the 49th Legislative District in Washington State shares her views and priorities for the Interstate Bridge replacement.
PLUS - Advisory group meeting summaries, bridge stories, leadership spotlight...and more!

September Newsletter

Featured this month:
- What's Been Happening
- Myth vs Fact
- Leadership Spotlight 
- On the Horizon

August Newsletter

Featured this month:
- What's Been Happening
- Myth vs Fact
- Intern Spotlight
- On the Horizon

July Newsletter

Featured this month:
- What's Been Happening
- Myth vs Fact
- Let's Talk Communications

June 17 ESG Meeting Cancelled

The Executive Steering Group meeting schedule has been revised to reflect ongoing work. An update on these efforts will be given at the next ESG meeting on July 15.

May & June Listening Sessions

Have Your Voice Heard
Join an upcoming listening session.

May Newsletter

Featured this month:
- Program Updates
- Myth vs Fact
- Leadership spotlight: Assistant Program Administrators, Frank Green and Ray Mabey

April Newsletter

Featured this month:
- Prioritizing climate and sustainability considerations
- Share your thoughts at a listening session
- Leadership spotlight: Climate Officer, Sarah Ogier, and Environmental Manager, Chris Regan

March Newsletter

Featured this month:
- Community engagement preliminary findings
- Focused listening sessions
- Leadership profiles: Ed Washington and Lynn Valenter

April Multimodal Commuter Listening Session

The program plans to hold additional listening sessions in the coming months, starting with a session to hear from multimodal commuters on April 22 from 5:30 - 7 pm. Commuters who use any type of transportation mode to cross the bridge on a daily basis to connect from home to work or school are invited to share their experience and feedback. Register to participate at https://ibr.news/multimodal.

February Newsletter

The information gathered during the February community outreach events will help update the Purpose and Need and establish the Vision and Values for the program, which together will be used to screen alternatives in order to identify a solution to replace the bridge.

Join the Conversation!

Anyone interested in the bi-state Interstate Bridge Replacement program is invited to participate in public meetings and events in the month of February.

Public invited to 10 Interstate Bridge Replacement program virtual meetings and events in February

All meetings are opportunities for community voices to be heard, including two-week online open house

Welcome to the Interstate Bridge Replacement program

Enewsletter - Welcome!

Interstate Bridge Replacement program selects Community Advisory Group members

Program also launches new website and social media accounts

Update: The Equity Advisory Group meeting has been rescheduled to Monday, Jan. 25 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

January advisory group meetings scheduled

The bi-state Interstate Bridge Replacement (IBR) program will host advisory group meetings on Jan. 20, 25 and 27; all who are interested are welcome to attend. 

Thank you!

Thank you to those who applied to serve on our program Community Advisory Group and Equity Advisory Group. 

Apply for our Advisory Groups by Dec. 18, 2020

Applications to serve on our Community Advisory Group or Equity Advisory Group are available Dec. 1-18, 2020.

Advisory Group application period coming soon

Stay tuned! Applications to serve on the Community Advisory Group or Equity Advisory Group will be available Dec. 1-18, 2020

Public invited to Executive Steering Group kickoff meetings Nov. 6 and Nov. 30

Anyone interested in the bi-state Interstate Bridge Replacement Program can attend the Executive Steering Group’s (ESG) introductory meeting from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 6. This virtual meeting is the first of two kickoff sessions, with the second meeting scheduled for 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 30.

Meet Greg Johnson

Meet Greg Johnson, the Program Administrator hired by ODOT and WSDOT to lead the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program.