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State transportation officials on Thursday said that this summer they will ask for $1.9 billion to begin the 15-year task of replacing the Interstate Bridge.

The project is nearing the end of environmental review, and Oregon and Washington transportation officials are looking to advance the initial phases of two dozen construction packages for building the bridge and a network of interstate expansions and local improvements in Portland and Vancouver.

鈥淪o, not to bury the lead 鈥� it’s a large (transportation plan) request 鈥� probably the largest the agency’s seen,鈥� said Ray Mabey, the project’s assistant program administrator, at Thursday’s Oregon Transportation Commission meeting. 鈥淭hat is not lost on me 鈥� the size and the meaning of that.鈥�

The $1.9 billion would come from both Oregon and Washington state governments, as well as federal funds and expected tolling revenue. The formal request, expected in July, would come in the form of a Statewide Transportation Improvement Program amendment.

The massive ask includes $1.3 billion for construction, $433 million for preliminary engineering, $232 million for right-of-way acquisition and $10 million for utility relocation.

Initially, Oregon taxpayers will shoulder a heavier burden, with general obligation bonds totaling $249.5 million, while Washington will kick in $119.7 million. That will even out over time, and the states will cross-bill each other for project expenses, Mabey said.

The Oregon money will help pay for right-of-way acquisitions near Marine Drive and Hayden Island.

鈥淔or the particular projects we’re talking about, the right-of-way need is greater in Oregon,鈥� Mabey said.

The total project was estimated in 2023 to cost $5 billion to $7.5 billion. That range is expected to grow when Interstate Bridge project officials release an updated cost estimate later this year or early in 2026.

Project officials are waiting on a record of decision 鈥� a final determination under the National Environmental Policy Act. That’s expected to arrive early in 2026.

鈥淭hat record of decision is really the key pivot point for us to move into delivery, to start acquiring right-of-way, starting utility relocation, final design, as well as moving into construction,鈥� Mabey said.

Meanwhile, the Bi-State Tolling Subcommittee will soon begin its work in earnest. Tolling on the bridge risks public backlash in Oregon, where such revenue collection is virtually unknown.

Tolling rates will be set in summer 2026, said Travis Brouwer, assistant director for revenue, finance and compliance for the Oregon Department of Transportation.

鈥淭his is the first time we’ve set toll rates on a bistate level in a long time,鈥� Brouwer said. 鈥淪o, we’re going to have to make sure that this follows the law in Washington, the law in Oregon and that those mesh well together.鈥�

Toll scenarios range from $1.55 per crossing before the bridge is completed to $4.70 post completion. All scenarios assume a low-income toll program that will charge low-income drivers less.

Drivers will need to begin opening toll payment accounts and placing transponders in their vehicles, Brouwer said.

The project will take 15 years to build, Mabey said.

鈥淚t would take a lot less if we could actually close the interstate and build the whole program,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut when I asked (ODOT Director Kris Strickler) if we could do that, he said no, and he’s right. So, we need to maintain three through-lanes of traffic in each direction during construction to keep the goods and services and people moving through this corridor.鈥�

The transportation officials sought to assure commissioners that the Trump administration remains committed to the project, for which grants were awarded under the Biden administration.

鈥淲hat we have heard from this administration is a desire to get this project built and moving forward,鈥� Mabey said. 鈥淲e see that as a strong sign of support.鈥�