🚙 Billions more needed for I-5 bridge project

Cost To Replace Interstate Bridge More Than Doubles

The cost of replacing the I-5 bridge across the Columbia River has jumped 140% since 2022, when the estimate for the project was $6 billion. That increase to $14.4 billion is attributable to a longer timeline for completing the project, higher construction costs, and a more complete design, according to officials in charge of the project. The new estimate is higher — though in line with — an estimate project officials developed last summer (but didn’t release to the public). [OPB, Willamette Week, Oregonian]

• Governors push ahead: Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson and Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, along with other officials on both sides of the river, say they still plan to move ahead with the project — with the funding that's available right now. Construction is currently slated to begin in 2028. [OPB]
• The need for repair: The current bridge is a seismic risk, given its age. And there’s often bottlenecks of traffic, including when the bridge lifts to let ships pass — the current bridge is a rare drawbridge on an interstate highway. [Oregonian]
• $5.5 billion available for the project: The plan is to move forward with replacing the two bridge spans and extending Portland's light rail to Vancouver. That part of the project is estimated to cost $7.65 billion, though that still leaves a funding gap, at a time when the Oregon Department of Transportation is cutting projects to balance the budget. [OPB]
• Plan on $15+ billion. A critic of the project, economist Joe Cortright, says the current design gives the two states no choice but to complete the full 5-mile project — for $15 billion or more. Specifically, the new bridge is higher and requires redesigning the highways leading up to the bridge, he notes. [Willamette Week, City Observatory]
• The original bridge was first built in 1917: The bridge replaced ferries. It originally charged a toll. In 1958, an upgrade doubled capacity on the bridge — the southbound lanes were first built then — and again a toll was charged. This current project will also rely on tolling commuters to finance the project, beginning as soon as next year. [KATU, OPB]

6 Years Later, Park Gets Permanent Name

In 2020, Amanda Fritz, then the city commissioner in charge of parks, decided it was time to rename Southwest Portland’s “Custer Park” for someone or something that hadn’t waged military campaigns against Indigenous peoples. She picked the placeholder name, “A Park.” Half a dozen years later, the park will now get an actual name: ‘Scht Wiwnu. That means path of the huckleberry in the Ichishkin Sńwit language, which is spoken by local tribes including the Umatilla, Warm Springs, and Yakama. [Willamette Week]

• Pronunciation guide: Here’s how to pronounce that: “ish-chit, way-el-noo.” [Portland Parks / YouTube]
• Event: ‘Scht Wiwnu park naming ceremony | Saturday, March 28 | 3 - 5 p.m. [Multnomah Neighborhood Association / Instagram]
• Time for another renaming? After the New York Times reported allegations that labor leader César Chávez sexually abused children, Portland officials say they’ll consider removing his name from the eastside avenue that bears his name. [Oregonian]

República Lives On

Citing a dropoff in diners since President Trump’s election, República announced they’d close on March 9. But now the high-end Mexican restaurant, recognized for some of the best food in the city, has decided to keep its doors open for now, dropping its tasting menu for a lunch-only service. “No timeline. Just show up while it lasts,” they posted on Instagram. [Portland Mercury]

• Current hours: República | Thurs. - Sun., 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Local Impact of the Paramount-Warner Merger

The mega merger in Hollywood has local independent movie theaters concerned — for good reason. Paramount will now control Warner’s backstock of films, which represent 10% to 20% of Clinton Street Theater’s repertory titles, for example. Clinton Street Theater co-owner Aaron Colter feels "forlorn" about the sale: "Global oligopoly isn’t good for anyone in any market.” [Willamette Week

• Key indicator: It’s official: Portland loves its independent theaters: According to the American Genre Film Archive, which is the nonprofit with the largest archive of genre films, only New York and Los Angeles are bigger markets for theater rentals. Portland is No. 3. [Willamette Week]

Each week, we include favorite local spots and organizations picked by City Cast Portland Neighbors. It’s a member benefit, but it’s also a great way to get to know our city:

• "Dear Sandy (on Sandy)! A warm and inclusive neighborhood joint with outlets, caffeine, real food, booze, and the friendliest baristas. (Fun, queer-forward events at night too!) " — Karen K.
• “Red E Coffee on Killingsworth. A simple neighborhood staple with local art and good house-roasted coffee. The owners (and their dog Osho) are the best.” — Nic C.
• “Oregon Humane Society is looking for fosters for dogs and cats to survive and be adoptable. Registering and the training takes less than 2 hours.” — Hannah W.

Become a City Cast Portland Neighbor today to share your own shoutout in this newsletter and on the podcast!