Warne spoke to transportation leaders from the states of Washington and Oregon on Feb. 17, and said the process that is unfolding is a normal one.
“There is no project in the United States today with unanimity across the board,” Warne said.
Warne’s bridge panel had different design options for the I-5 crossing. The list included tied-arch, cable-stayed and composite deck truss versions, and Warne believes all three would be cheaper than the open-web box girder option. The main cost-savings component deals with the bridge alignment. By making it straighter and requiring fewer piers, Warne’s panel believes as much as $100 million could be wiped off the bid price.
A separate presentation was expected to be delivered on Feb. 18 to Vancouver and Portland mayors and other elected officials who serve on a Project Sponsors Council advising the two states’ governors.