The U.S. Coast Guard notified the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program on Jan. 16, 2026, that it will allow a fixed-span replacement bridge to be built across the Columbia River as proposed by the program. A fixed-span bridge at 116 feet vertical navigation clearance was identified as the best option to replace the aging Interstate Bridge between Vancouver and Portland. Receiving the U.S. Coast Guard's decision is a major milestone along the path to a modern, multimodal fixed-span bridge that eliminates bridge lifts and improves safety and earthquake resilience.
"A fixed span bridge has overwhelming support from the maritime industry, businesses and community groups,” Washington Governor Bob Ferguson said. “This is the right decision for our economy, and for commuters who use this bridge every day. I appreciated meeting with Coast Guard leadership to present our case in person. I look forward to continuing our progress to replace this 108-year-old bridge.”
The IBR Program’s proposal to build a fixed-span bridge at 116 feet clearance will eliminate bridge lifts and allow roadway commerce, vehicles, air traffic and transit to operate unimpeded while also continuing to reliably serve more than 99% of river traffic.
Next steps
This decision will allow the IBR Program to finalize and share an updated cost estimate and schedule. The IBR Program will continue to collaborate with our federal partners to complete and publish the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement, a key step toward securing an amended Record of Decision and moving to construction.
“The IBR Program now has the clarity it needs to advance and position us to build a safer, multimodal river crossing and corridor that will serve both states for generations,” Oregon Governor Tina Kotek said.
The decision also allows the IBR Program to begin the process of selecting a final design for the replacement bridge and identify a construction contractor.
Background
The existing Interstate Bridge rests on timber piles driven into liquefiable soils. It is expected that a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake would likely result in catastrophic failure of the bridge. A replacement bridge will be built to modern design standards and include mitigations such as soil stabilization techniques to minimize the potential for soil liquefaction.
As part of the bridge permit process, the U.S. Coast Guard required the IBR Program to submit a Navigation Impact Report that documented how a replacement bridge could impact navigation on the Columbia River with a replacement bridge height of 116 feet. In an updated report submitted to the U.S. Coast Guard in October 2025, the IBR Program was able to demonstrate that we addressed potential impacts to identified river users. Following a U.S. Coast Guard public comment period that started in December, the U.S. Coast Guard determined that the IBR Program may build a replacement bridge with a fixed-span height of 116 feet.
Source: Interstate Bridge Replacement Program