As aniticpated, the Columbia River Crossing planners are beginning to scale back the mega bridge and freeway project intended to replace the aged Interstate Bridge and improve congestion in North Portland and Vancouver.

FROM THE OREGONIAN

The Interstate 5 bridge over the Columbia River would shrink from 12 to 10 lanes and that, along with other changes, could save up to a net of $650 million, project officials said Thursday.

The cost range now would be $2.6 billion to $3.6 billion -- down from the $3.1 billion to $4.2 billion that had been anticipated.

Columbia Crossing officials have briefed government and business leaders, including Portland Mayor Sam Adams and Vancouver Mayor Royce E. Pollard, about the changes over the past 10 days. The revised staff plan will be presented Dec. 4 at a meeting of key stakeholders, including the two mayors.

GS.00020689B_PT.BRIDGE.jpgView full sizeThe highest-profile change is cutting the number of lanes. Actually, the idea is to reduce the overall width of the bridge's two spans, but the new design still would one day allow expansion to 12 lanes, with narrower shoulders. The new bridge would replace the old green six-lane Interstate Bridge.

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