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Greg Johnson knows that challenges lie ahead.

As the newly appointed leader of the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program, a joint effort between the Oregon and Washington transportation departments, Johnson has the daunting task of helping deliver a new iteration of a multibillion-dollar megaproject spanning the Columbia River between Portland and Vancouver.

In addition to uniting stakeholders from two states that spent $175 million on the Columbia River Crossing plan that ultimately died at the hands of Washington legislators in 2013, Johnson will have to drum up public support for a project that is likely to encounter opposition from both sides of the river.

鈥淢y immediate goal once I hit the ground is to do a lot of listening,鈥� said Johnson, who will assume the role as the project’s program administrator on July 6. 鈥淚 want to make sure that I take time and listen to everybody, what their concerns and issues are, and what they want to see this bridge be to their communities.鈥�

Johnson was selected for the position after a national recruitment effort took place. He is a licensed engineer with experience working for the Maryland and Michigan transportation departments. He most recently served as a senior vice president with engineering giant WSP USA in Michigan.

Johnson’s experience with large infrastructure projects includes early work on the $5.7 billion Gordie Howe International Bridge; one of his duties was to reach out to wary residents of impacted neighborhoods.

鈥淭here was a lot of anguish and hard feelings, so my team members and I had numerous sit-downs in folks’ living rooms and public meetings to explain what this project could be and how it could be transformative,鈥� he said.

Johnson is preparing to perform similar work to receive public buy-in for a new Interstate Bridge that could elicit environmental concerns from Portlanders and opposition to light rail from Vancouver residents.

鈥淢y biggest challenge is going to be getting out, meeting people, and understanding the nuances of why this project is either the panacea for all the problems, or why it’s the devil incarnate,鈥� he said. 鈥淚’ve got to understand all of those viewpoints in an intimate way.鈥�

Equity and inclusion are top priorities for the bridge replacement program, Johnson said with acknowledgment of past practices.

鈥淚t’s no secret that when the interstates were sited back in the ’50’s, they took the poorest areas 鈥� sometimes the minority areas of a community 鈥� and said, 鈥榃ell, this is where we’re going to route the interstate,’鈥� he said.

Some of those legacies still exist, Johnson said, so having conversations to address those issues and build trust in the community will be crucial, as will employing minority contractors and maintaining a diverse workforce on the project.

鈥淚’ve worked in some of the wealthiest communities and also some of the poorest communities in this country,鈥� he said. 聽鈥淎nd it is the poorest communities that always feel that their voice isn’t heard, so I want to make sure that everybody feels that they are heard and their input is taken into account to shape what this project can be.鈥�

Conducting face-to-face meetings will be difficult in the coronavirus era, Johnson acknowledged, but he is looking forward to having conversations to convince stakeholders that the time is right to pursue a bridge replacement.

鈥淚’ve seen projects that start out as a house on fire and fizzle out because the political will is lost,鈥� he said. 鈥淪o I think communication to the stakeholders and to the public in general is going to be a key to keeping the momentum going to get this thing pushed across the finish line.鈥�

Oregon and Washington together have dedicated $44 million to the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program. Officials are targeting a summer 2021 start for an environmental review process, which is expected to take between three and five years.