Press Release

Vancouver, Washington -- Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Council Board of Directors, in its role as Metropolitan Planning Organization for Clark County, is issuing a formal notice of its intent to take action on the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) for the Columbia River Crossing (CRC) project at its July 22 Board meeting. A concurrent action will be to amend the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) for Clark County to include the LPA decision.

The Metropolitan Transportation Plan is a part of the required federal and state transportation planning process. The Plan represents the collective strategy for maintaining and developing the regional transportation system. The I-5 Columbia River Crossing project is a bridge, transit and highway improvement project with project area extending from SR-500 in Vancouver, Washington to Columbia Boulevard in Portland, Oregon. The multimodal project focuses on improving safety, reducing congestion, and increasing mobility. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the CRC was issued for public review and comment on May 2, 2008. The Columbia River Crossing project�s Locally Preferred Alternative was initially defined following public comment and an advisory vote by the Columbia River Crossing Task Force on June 24, 2008. The Columbia River Crossing project�s Locally Preferred Alternative will include a river crossing decision, a High Capacity Transit mode decision, and HCT terminus decision.

Prior to action at their July 22, 2008, meeting, the RTC Board is providing an opportunity on July 9, 2008, for public comment. The July 9 meeting will be held to receive comment on the proposed MTP amendment to incorporate the CRC�s LPA. The public comment meeting will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at Vancouver City Hall, 210 E. 13th Street, Vancouver. At their July 22 meeting, the RTC Board is anticipated to take action on the CRC�s Locally Preferred Alternative and amend the MTP to incorporate the CRC�s LPA. The RTC Board meets at 4 p.m. in the Public Service Center, 6th floor Hearing Room, 1300 Franklin Street, Vancouver.

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