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The Oregon Department of Transportation recently addressed questions posed by a joint interim legislative committee during a Jan. 14 hearing on the Columbia River Crossing.

State leaders are evaluating whether the Interstate Bridge replacement project is feasible, and Gov. John Kitzhaber wrote in a letter Monday that it will be shelved if the Legislature fails to approve $450 million in funding by March 10.

ODOT, in its 27-page report, answered numerous questions. Some were:

What would happen in the event of cost overruns?

Critics have contended that the $2.78 billion project could potentially have cost overruns up to $1 billion. According to ODOT, the estimated cost includes about a $540 million contingency. If cost overruns could not be contained, the agency would first increase tolls. If those efforts were not enough, the agency would draw from state and federal highway funds.

Are public-private partnerships being considered?

ODOT has begun preparation of a Request for Qualifications and Request for Proposals process for a design-build contract on the main river crossing.

“We believe this provides an advantageous combination of private involvement along with agency oversight that will provide the best value to the state and ensure on-time and on-budget delivery of the river crossing,” according to the report.

How would toll violations be enforced?

Discussions about enforcement are ongoing, according to ODOT. Oregon residents could face a $25 civil penalty, vehicle registration renewal holds and garnishment of wages. The state and the Washington Department of Licensing are pursuing a joint arrangement that would designate toll violations as traffic violations; license suspensions would be a possibility.

ODOT’s report is available on its website. Visit for more information.