Interstate Bridge Latest: Oregon, Washington Lawmakers To Meet

PORTLAND, OR – It turns out that there might be hope for a replacement for the Interstate Bridge, after all. It's been five years since the last serious talks between Oregon and Washington about replacing the I-5 Bridge.

That plan collapsed in 2013 after the Washington state Senate ended its session without approving funding for the project.

In a turnaround, things are moving forward.

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Tuesday afternoon, Washington legislators will travel to Portland for the first meeting of the Joint Oregon-Washington Legislative Action Committee

Oregon legislators, who had been reluctant to take overtures from Washington seriously after 2013, made the decision after increased action by cities and lawmakers in Washington showing that there is growing support to get it done.

"I thank my friends in Oregon for their cooperation and support and look forward to working together for the mutual good of our region,” WA State senator Annette Cleveland said Friday.

"A replacement I-5 Bridge is critical for the region for current and future generations.”"

Cleveland introduced the legislation that created the committee last year.

When the committee met last year, no one from Oregon showed up.

When the committee meets on Tuesday, there are expected to be seven legislators from Washington and five from Oregon.

"We all agree on the overdue need for a new bridge and a process that maintains the public’s trust and support," Cleveland says.

"I'm not going to suggest this undertaking will be simple or easy, but we are determined to find a path that leads us to a solution in order to build the much-needed replacement bridge."

Photo via Clark County.