Ore. treasurer not sold on Columbia bridge plan

PORTLAND — State Treasurer Ted Wheeler says he’s not convinced that Oregon can collect all the tolls needed to pay for a new Interstate 5 bridge across the Columbia River, and he won’t OK construction debt until he is.

A consulting company’s analysis of the new plan for Oregon to go it alone on the bridge linking Portland and Vancouver, Wash., is assuring on one score, Wheeler told the Oregonian.

“If the assumptions underlying the projections made by the consultants are valid, the tolls will be sufficient to service the bonds,” Wheeler said. “That said, we need to be sure Oregon can collect them. I won’t issue the bonds unless we get clarity on these issues.”

Oregon lawmakers are expected to consider the plan in a few weeks, and Wheeler’s qualms won’t reassure them, The Oregonian reported.

“I think the votes are really hard to find for an Oregon-only, or Oregon-led project,” said Republican Sen. Bruce Starr of Hillsboro, a key supporter of the project.

Collecting tolls has been a question mark since Washington state dropped out of the project last year, and Oregon backers recast the proposal, now expected to cost $2.8 billion.

Oregon planners hope most bridge users will have accounts and transponders in their vehicles to count and pay for each crossing.

For those without an account, the state would use technology that tracks drivers by photographing their license plates and then sends bills to them.

Oregon Department of Transportation officials say the state has authority to collect tolls across state lines, just as it can enforce a traffic ticket. They say they’re working with Washington officials on toll collection tools.

The consultants assumed there will be enough revenue to pay for the project even if 10 percent of the tolls are never collected, a rate of nonpayment that’s much worse than other tolled projects see, Oregon planners said.

Wheeler wants more certainty.

“My preference continues to be a partnership, a joint effort with the state of Washington,” he said. “That’s a better approach. But if the Legislature determines to go ahead with the project, we need to make sure we have a way to collect the tolls over the 35-year life of the bonds.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Everett
Judge sentences man, 73, for intending to have sex with ‘teen’ in Everett

The Arizona man sent explicit images to an agent posing as a 13-year-old. Investigators found images of child sexual abuse on his phone.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

State’s draft of climate action plan open for public comment

Residents can submit public comments or climate-related stories online through Aug. 22.

The Edmonds School Board discusses budget cuts during a school board meeting on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds school board approves 2025-26 budget

After facing an estimated $8.5 million shortfall earlier in the year, the board passed a balanced budget Tuesday.

A wall diagram shows the “journey of the ballot” at the new Elections Center on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County Auditor: No need for feds to meddle with state or local elections

Garth Fell’s comments were in response to a report of Justice Department mulling criminal charges against election officials.

Edmonds Police Chief Loi Dawkins speaks after the city council approved her appointment on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds City Council confirms new police chief

Assistant Chief Loi Dawkins will begin in the role Aug. 1. She has more than 23 years of law enforcement experience, including three years in Edmonds.

The Edmonds City Council discuss the levy during a city council meeting on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds votes to place levy lid lift on the ballot

By a vote of 5-2, the council decided to put the $14.5 million property tax levy lid lift to voters in November.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.