Tom Warne Report, 4 May 2012
Three U.S. representatives from Washington are questioning the planned height of the Columbia River Crossing in Oregon, which is currently 95 feet. The Republican lawmakers say that because a 116 feet clearance is required for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dredging vessels, the height problems could affect river shipments all the way to Idaho.
“If the USACE is unable to gain safe passage for their dredges, it could result in river closure, with the loss of millions of dollars per day to the regional economy,” according to a letter signed by Washington Reps. Jaime Herrera Beutler, Doc Hastings and Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Idaho Rep. Paul Labrador.
“We have been advised that the CRC’s own consultant warned that a clearance of 125 feet was needed in order to avoid impediments to navigation,” the letter continues. “Was this information taken into account for design purposes?”
The representatives’ letter to Columbia River Crossing project manager Nancy Boyd asks whether planners have taken into account that the river carries more than $3 billion in cargo each year as the fourth largest river in North America. Lawmakers also requested an updated cost from the current $3.5-billion estimate with the increased bridge height.
In an email, Boyd said, “We have been working closely with the Coast Guard and the Army Corps since 2005 and will continue that collaboration as we finalize our permit application.” She noted that the project also must take into consideration the air clearance required for the Portland International Airport and Pearson Field.