River users say planned Columbia bridge too low

PORTLAND — New questions are being raised about the planning of an Interstate 5 replacement bridge across the Columbia River.

The Oregonian newspaper says documents show the project’s sponsors either didn’t know about or didn’t accommodate concerns about the height of the bridge.

For instance, the paper reports, it turns out the planners didn’t know until February that the 95-foot clearance would be too low for a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dredge.

And the proposed bridge isn’t high enough for a handful of companies along the river that fabricate big equipment.

The bridge is expected to cost $3 billion. Planners have already spent $140 million and redesigned it once. Another redesign might add $100 million.

Project planners say they’re trying to figure out compromises to salvage the current design.