Wash.-Oregon bridge project receives federal funds

Wash.-Oregon bridge project receives federal funds Plans for a new Interstate 5 bridge linking Vancouver, Wash., and Portland, Ore., over the Columbia River received a $15 million shot in the arm Monday from a federal government highway congestion fund.
   Still in the planning stages, the I-5 bridge was one of six Interstate highway projects selected by the U.S. Department of Transportation from a field of 38 applicants. Washington, Oregon and California tendered a joint application for funds to implement congestion relief projects along the highway, which is a primary north-south transportation route cutting across all three states. The bridge is estimated to cost from $3 billion to $4 billion.
   The DOT program providing the funds seeks to encourage local agencies to overcome regulatory obstacles on highway projects that cross state lines. The program also emphasizes the development of innovative, regional solutions to reduce congestion and improve freight delivery.
   Projects receiving funds and amounts are:
   ' I-10 from California to Florida, $8.6 million.
   ' I-15 running through Arizona, Utah, Nevada and California, $15 million.
   ' I-95 from Florida to the Canadian border, $21.8 million.
   ' I-70 crossing Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio, $5 million.
   ' I-69 from Texas to Michigan, $800,000.