Date:  Friday, August 26, 2011

Contact: Mandy Putney, CRC Communications, 360-816-2163

VANCOUVER – The estimated construction cost for the Columbia River Crossing project decreased by $100 million due to recent decisions and increased certainty on the construction schedule.

The estimate is part of an annual process that helps the project manage risks and reduce cost overruns. The previous cost range from May 2010 was $3.2 billion to $3.6 billion. The updated cost range is now $3.1 billion to $3.5 billion. The range is determined through a risk-based analysis that includes many variables, including inflation, demand for materials or labor and the availability of funding.

"The direction last spring from Gov. Gregoire and Gov. Kitzhaber on bridge type allowed us to move forward on a solid path to meet the current schedule," said Oregon Transportation Director Matt Garrett. "We were also able to realize cost savings from increased certainty on our construction approach and design details as we learned more about soil structure in the corridor."

Lower cost estimates resulted from:

• Selection of a deck truss bridge type
• Increased knowledge of soil conditions from geotechnical borings
• Receipt of the biological opinion from the National Marine Fisheries Service
• Refinement of interchange designs
• Planned use of design-build construction contracts for the replacement to the Interstate Bridge, and Marine Drive, Hayden Island and SR 14 interchanges, as well as park-and-ride structures

"Our team has worked hard to refine the cost for this project that is a vital transportation link on the West Coast," said Washington Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond.

The costs, presented in year-of-expenditure dollars, include construction of a replacement bridge over the Columbia River at Interstate 5, extension of light rail to Vancouver, improvements to the highway and five interchanges, and enhancements to bicycle and pedestrian facilities. Construction is currently scheduled to begin in 2013.

More information on cost estimation may be found on the Washington State Department of Transportation Web page on the Cost Estimate Validation Process.

More information can be found online about CRC cost estimates.

About the project
CRC is a long-term, comprehensive project to reduce congestion, enhance mobility and improve safety on I-5 between SR 500 in Vancouver, Wash., and Columbia Boulevard in Portland. The project will replace the I-5 bridge, extend light rail to Vancouver, improve closely spaced interchanges and enhance the pedestrian and bicycle path between the two cities. The project will be funded by federal and state sources, as well as future tolls.

Written comments may be submitted on the CRC project at any time at feedback@columbiarivercrossing.org. More information is available on the CRC project website: www.columbiarivercrossing.org

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