It's official: Agencies favor new bridge with light rail

All six governmental bodies mulling alternatives to the current Interstate Bridge want a new six-lane structure that contains a light-rail line to Clark College and bicycle and pedestrian paths.

The Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Council voted 10-3 for a new bridge, cementing the six-lane option as the project's locally preferred alternative.

The council joined Metro, TriMet, C-TRAN and city councils in Portland and Vancouver in approving a new toll structure, as opposed to revamping the existing Columbia River bridge. The Columbia River Crossing group will work to address the agencies' many recommendations on the project.

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The option offers "the best potential to improve freight mobility, relieve congestion, improve safety for travelers and provide real travel choices while serving the public's needs," said Don Wagner, regional administrator for the Washington State Department of Transportation's Southwest Region.

The project is estimated to cost $4.2 billion and will be funded by various public agencies and tolls.

Project leaders must still make several decisions on financing, how to levy tolls, the number of auxiliary lanes and the bridge's pedestrian and bicycle pathways. Planners will also explore high capacity transit alignments on Hayden Island and in Vancouver.