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The Interstate Bridge Replacement (IBR) program has been awarded $600 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation via its National Infrastructure Project Assistance (Mega) program. This federal grant will help pay for the replacement of the Interstate Bridge and associated corridor improvements.

The Oregon Department of Transportation and the Washington State Department of Transportation submitted a joint application for a Mega grant in August. The Mega grant program was created through the national Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to support large, complex projects likely to generate economic, mobile, or safety benefits for the region or nation.

鈥淭his is a big moment for the Pacific Northwest and demonstrates the national significance of this effort,鈥� said. 鈥淩eplacing the Interstate Bridge is a critical infrastructure investment for our local communities, two states, and the entire West Coast. This project will help advance our goal of reducing emissions through a modern, multimodal bridge and will provide an infusion of federal funds to our region that will support local jobs and broader workforce opportunities.鈥�

In August, the Oregon Legislature approved the state鈥檚 commitment of $1 billion to the program, following the Washington State Legislature鈥檚 approval of a $1 billion commitment in 2022. Also, Washington this year authorized tolling on the Interstate Bridge, matching the existing tolling authorization in Oregon. Tolling, which could begin in 2026, is expected to generate approximately $1.1 billion to $1.2 billion in revenue, according to the IBR program.

The entire project is anticipated to cost around $6 billion. The IBR program team is also seeking grants from the USDOT鈥檚 Bridge Investment Program and the聽Federal Transit Administration鈥檚 Capital Investment Grants Program. Those grants could total between $2 billion and $3 billion.

A Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the project is in the works, and a final version is set to follow a few months thereafter. Construction could start as early as 2025.