IBR's $15B Bridge Project Hides Toll Revenue Study Until 2027

Joe Cortright exposes IBR's deliberate delay of the Investment Grade Analysis until June 2027 — 18 months past the original deadline. The toll revenue study will likely show that promised $1.25 billion in toll funding won't materialize without dramatically higher tolls than advertised. This mirrors the Columbia River Crossing's 2013 analysis that cut traffic projections in half and nearly doubled minimum tolls to $2.60. With current bridge traffic down to 127,000 vehicles daily, post-pandemic work patterns reducing commuter volumes, and interest rates nearly doubling, the financial foundation of this $15 billion project appears increasingly shaky. IBR officials are using the same playbook they used with cost estimates — hiding bad news until after legislative approval. https://clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-the-high-cost-of-hiding-why-ibrs-delayed-revenue-study-is-a-15-billion-warning-sign/ #IBR #InterstateBridge #Transportation #Tolls #ClarkCounty #Vancouver #WashingtonState #BridgeReplacement #PublicAccountability #Infrastructure