The Columbia River Crossing project will host drop-in informational sessions Oct. 12 and 13 to answer questions about the project’s recently completed final Environmental Impact Statement.
The final EIS shows that replacing the interstate bridge and extending light rail to Vancouver will improve safety, reduce hours of congestion and provide more travel choices for people traveling between Portland and Vancouver. It also contains analyses of effects the project will have on the surrounding environment and communities — both positive and negative.
Community members are invited to learn more at one of four sessions: 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 12 at Vancouver Community Library, 901 C St.; or in Portland from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 13 at Jantzen Beach SuperCenter Community Room, 1405 Jantzen Beach Center.
At the drop-in sessions, subject matter experts will be available to answer questions. Printed copies will be available for review or purchase. A 30-day review period for the final EIS concludes on Oct. 24. It is anticipated that the federal oversight agencies, the Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration, will select an alternative and sign a record of decision in late 2011. The record of decision signals the conclusion of the National Environmental Policy Act planning process. CRC will then continue to develop the design for the project, including additional detail on project phasing, construction staging and construction techniques.
