New I-5 bridge could be as wide as 12 lanes

More lanes, higher tolls or both? City leaders in Portland, Ore., met on Jan. 26 to discuss the capacity elements of the new I-5 bridge over the Columbia River.

The bridge proposed by the Oregon and Washington DOTs could carry as many as 12 lanes of traffic, but urban sprawl opponents fear more lanes would lead to an increased volume of population. Not so, say the DOTs, who are planning on charging steep tolls as well as offering mass transit to discourage driving.

Planners, however, are only proposing three toll rates: $2 each way during rush hour; $1.50 during off-peak hours and $1 at midday and nighttime. Some believe those charges are too low to keep traffic manageable.

“That is less than a bus ticket,” Councilor Robert Liberty told the Oregonian. Liberty wants more traffic studies to be conducted, and questioned if federal dollars were available.

Bridge planners countered with the possibility on reducing the number of lanes. A 10-lane bridge will save as much as $150 million; an eight-bridge lane could take $230 million off the price. At 12 lanes, the current cost is $4 billion.

City leaders hope to finalize plans for the bridge on Feb. 6.