Project name: Lieser Road Bridge – Emergency Bridge Repair

Location: Vancouver, Washington

Completion: August 2024

Size: 1,700 square feet

Cost: $1,236,371

Owner: Washington State Department of Transportation

Architect: Washington State Department of Transportation

Engineer: Washington State Department of Transportation

General Contractor: Tapani Inc.

Submitting Company: Tapani Inc.

Other Key Participants: Otak Engineering, Richey Wrecking, Schneider and Sons

Subcontractors: Brothers Concrete Cutting, CMC Steel Fabricators, Contech Services, Green Sweep Asphalt Service, Karvonen Sand & Gravel, Mill Plain Electric, Ness Campbell Crane + Rigging, Pacific Rim Service and Construction,  Ralph’s Concrete Pumping, Richey Wrecking, Schneider and Sons, Specialized Pavement Marking, Storie Barriers, The Bag Lady, W.E. Coates Surveying

A vital transportation link in Clark County is back in service following the successful completion of emergency repairs to the Lieser Road Bridge on Highway 14.

The project became necessary after a semi-truck accident severely damaged a 102-foot prestressed bridge girder, threatening the structural integrity of this critical overpass that serves approximately 8,900 vehicles daily. The overpass is a crucial lifeline connecting SR 14 to central Vancouver and PeaceHealth Hospital. It also is an essential route for travelers accessing major highways like I-5 and I-205.

Tapani, serving as general contractor, worked alongside the Washington State Department of Transportation to execute the complex repair plan, which included demolition and replacement of Girder 2G, repairs to Girder 2A and interior girders, and guardrail replacement.

To minimize public disruption, crews scheduled strategic night shifts and a carefully planned weekend closure of SR 14. The most intensive phase featured a remarkable 56-consecutive-hour closure dedicated to demolition and debris removal.

The project presented unique challenges due to the partial demolition requirements. Tapani brought in Otak Engineering to develop a specialized work plan with precise calculations predicting how the girder would respond during the excavator demolition process.

During demolition, Tapani partnered with Richey Wrecking, employing two excavators with breaking hammers to efficiently remove the damaged girder, deck, diaphragms, and barrier. This approach allowed for quick, precise work while maintaining project timelines.

After successful installation of the new girder, crews poured concrete to reconstruct the hinge diaphragm, intermediate diaphragm, end diaphragm, and bridge deck. A new 112-foot-long traffic barrier wall enhances safety for drivers, and fresh asphalt completed the restoration.

Throughout the project, safety remained paramount, particularly during night shifts and road closures. Extensive preplanning, daily coordination, and constant safety checks ensured all teams adhered to safety standards, from proper PPE usage to clear signage installation.

The project had a DBE contracting goal of 17 percent, and the project team met that target. Representatives noted that by partnering with diverse firms that brought valuable expertise to the job, they were able to deliver a high-quality project while supporting the growth of small and disadvantaged businesses in the industry.

“This project will ensure safe access for all travelers across the entire overpass, including designated shoulders for pedestrians and cyclists,” Sarah Hannon, WSDOT communications representative, said in the nomination form. “It will also restore this vital connection for travelers who use SR 14 to access Interstates 5 and 205.”

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A 150,000-square-foot tenant improvement is underway in Vancouver, Washington. Tech leader ZoomInfo’s new headquarters will move from its current location at 805 Broadway St. to a four-story office at Terminal 1 along the Columbia River.

The Terminal 1 office building is technically two buildings, Block A and Block C, connected by a skybridge and a street level launch. ZoomInfo has leased both buildings from Lincoln Property Co. and will have the sixth floor in Block C and the 6-9 floors in Block A. The office will include waterfront access and parking.

Floors five and below are for parking with retail space on the first floor. There is also a fitness center and amenity conference training on the second floor.

Robertson & Olson Construction of Camas, Washington, was the contractor for the shell of the building and finished construction late last year. Lease Crutcher Lewis began the $30 million ZoomInfo tenant improvement project in May of last year. The tenant improvement is 150,000 square feet; the entire building is 300,000 square feet.

“We’re nearly crossing the finish line,” Kelly Nelson, senior project manager at Lewis, said.

The tenant improvement will be complete in mid-June. The project had a lot of significance for Lease Crutcher Lewis, as it is the largest tenant improvement project it has completed in the Portland Metro/Vancouver area, Nelson said.

The project team also includes GBD Architects, HVAC and plumbing by McKinstry, fire sprinklers by COSCO Fire Protection of Vancouver, electric and voltage by Christenson Electric and some structural engineering by KPFF.

Nelson said the tenant improvement includes a connecting stair between levels 8 and 9 in Block A. The structure is post-tensioned slab. Robertson & Olson left an opening for the stairs but there were some components Lewis had to add for the staircase itself. KPFF was the engineer for that work.

The tenant improvements will include the fitness center and training center on floor 2, conference areas, huddle rooms, open workstations, some large conference rooms, collaboration areas and break rooms.

“There’s great natural light and there’s great views of the river and the boardwalk,” said Matt Simpson, director and head of global real estate at ZoomInfo. “One of the things we wanted to do was increase the amount of collaboration space and conference rooms but also bring in the natural light, get our employees closer to the glass line and open up the floor plates so people are sitting closer to the glass line.”

Simpson said the building was designed with large floor plates. To increase the amount of collaboration space, GBD Architects designed a spine through the middle of each floor plate where the team has located conference rooms of varying sizes, huddle rooms and breakout spaces. This enabled the team to put open workstations near the glass.

One of the unique aspects of the project is that it is 64 percent female-led, with women on every level, from project executive to project coordinator. On the GBD Architects team, the lead architect is female. Almost the entire JLL team, which serves as owner’s representative for ZoomInfo, is also female.

Nelson and Simpson said this was not intentional for the project but was a bonus. Lewis strives to have diversity on their project teams and support women in the trades, they said. Simpson said it was a discussion point on ZoomInfo’s end but not a specific goal they made for the project.

Nelson said female-led projects are becoming more prevalent for Lewis, and over the years the number of women at Lewis has grown. She is also seeing more women in the trades in general. Simpson added that it feels more evenly split among project teams and teams feel more diverse.

The new office will open sometime in July with a ribbon cutting to celebrate the grand opening.

“There’s a lot of excitement from our employees about moving into the new space and being on the Vancouver waterfront,” Simpson said.

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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.

“So, not to bury the lead — it’s a large (transportation plan) request — probably the largest the agency’s seen,” said Ray Mabey, the project’s assistant program administrator, at Thursday’s Oregon Transportation Commission meeting. “That is not lost on me — the size and the meaning of that.”

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.

“For the particular projects we’re talking about, the right-of-way need is greater in Oregon,” 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 — a final determination under the National Environmental Policy Act. That’s expected to arrive early in 2026.

“That 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,” 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.

“This is the first time we’ve set toll rates on a bistate level in a long time,” Brouwer said. “So, 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.”

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.

“It would take a lot less if we could actually close the interstate and build the whole program,” he said. “But 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.”

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.

“What we have heard from this administration is a desire to get this project built and moving forward,” Mabey said. “We see that as a strong sign of support.”

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Vancouver Housing Authority (VHA) is committed to creating dynamic, sustainable communities through innovative housing solutions in Southwest Washington. With a mission to provide affordable, safe, and stable housing for low- and moderate-income families, VHA has become a driving force in transforming the region’s housing landscape.

VHA’s projects go beyond creating homes – they aim to foster entire communities. Through strategic development and revitalization, VHA develops not only affordable housing but also mixed-use spaces that enhance residents’ quality of life. A prime example is the Fourth Plain Community Commons, which includes flexible event spaces, commercial kitchen incubators, and office spaces, providing a hub for community engagement and services.

In addition to housing, VHA prioritizes community building by offering residents access to vital resources like job training, healthcare, and education. Its Council for the Homeless Housing Solutions Center connects individuals facing homelessness or at risk with essential programs and services. By taking a holistic approach to development, VHA creates lasting change, improving the well-being of the neighborhoods it serves.

With a focus on sustainability and inclusivity, VHA continues to lead in affordable housing development, enhancing lives and strengthening communities across Vancouver.

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