Progress on Columbia River Crossing; Kuney to Test Techniques

In December Federal transportation agencies gave formal approval for the Columbia River Crossing (CRC) project plan which allows final design and construction planning to proceed. The Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration signed a record of decision for the CRC.

Signature on this document finalizes the environmental review process and formally identifies the federal agencies’ selected alternative for the CRC – a replacement Interstate 5 bridge with light rail.

“This is the culmination of years of hard work thousands of hours of public input and reams of detailed and extensive technical analysis” Governor Chris Gregoire said. “Businesses and jobs in Washington Oregon and all along the West Coast depend on this economic corridor. By replacing the aging bridge over the Columbia River we are strengthening our state’s competitiveness and laying a stronger foundation for a better economy. This decision moves us closer to fixing a significant economic bottleneck and getting people back to work.”

Following that announcement the CRC project announced that Max J. Kuney Company received the $4.22 million contract to test construction techniques in early 2012. That effort will give engineers the chance to refine design assumptions and project plans keeping the project on schedule to start construction by the end of 2013.

AGC supports the state and federal funding necessary to build this crucial transportation improvement and is a member of the Columbia River Crossing Coalition.