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$10.3 million: Interstate 5 Bridge transit costs halved in new estimates

Operations projections based on new formula that shows fewer light rail trains, express buses

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The Interstate 5 Bridge across the Columbia River is more than 100 years old. A new bridge would be built with transit in mind. (Taylor Balkom/The Columbian files)

The Interstate 5 Bridge across the Columbia River is more than 100 years old. A new bridge would be built with transit in mind. (Taylor Balkom/The Columbian files)

A MAX Green Line train pulls into the Southeast Main Street stop near Mall 205 in Portland in 2022. Proposals call for the Yellow Line to extend to Clark County. (Taylor Balkom/The Columbian files)

A MAX Green Line train pulls into the Southeast Main Street stop near Mall 205 in Portland in 2022. Proposals call for the Yellow Line to extend to Clark County. (Taylor Balkom/The Columbian files)

The Interstate 5 Bridge across the Columbia River is more than 100 years old. A new span would be built with mass transit in mind. (Taylor Balkom/The Columbian file photos)

The Interstate 5 Bridge across the Columbia River is more than 100 years old. A new span would be built with mass transit in mind. (Taylor Balkom/The Columbian file photos)

New estimates indicate the cost of operating and maintaining light rail trains and express buses on the planned Interstate 5 replacement bridge will likely be less than half the $21.8 million annual price tag that shocked local officials in December.

Interstate Bridge Replacement Program administrators shared the new cost projections during C-Tran’s board of directors meeting Tuesday evening. They said the total operations and maintenance costs — shared by Oregon and Washington — will be closer to $10.3 million a year.

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