Interstate Bridge Greg Johnson Replacement Program IBR Program Administrator

Ray Mabey IBR Assistant Program June 10, 2021 Administrator Why do we need to replace the Interstate Bridge?

Critical connection between and and a vital trade route. ▸At risk for collapse in the event of a major earthquake No longer satisfies the needs of modern commerce and travel ▸ ▸ A modern connection for a growing community.

The IBR program will utilize and update past work to help identify a solution that reflects current community priorities and will improve our transportation system now, and for the future.

2 Existing Bridges and Costs

One of only a few remaining movable bridges on the Interstate System ▸ • Only one on I-5 between Canada and Mexico $1.2 million in annual Operations and Maintenance costs ▸Capital maintenance for existing bridges estimated to cost over $270 million by 2040: ▸ • Includes southbound bridge painting, bridge deck replacement, electrical systems upgrades • Does not include seismic upgrades

3 Initiating Efforts $80 million in combined funding dedicated by OR and WA as of March 2021 ▸ Bi-State Memorandum of Intent signed by Governors

Brown and Inslee Nov. 2019 Photo courtesy of Office of Governor Kate Brown ▸ Bi-state legislative committee oversight and guidance to shape program work ▸ ODOT and WSDOT are jointly leading the program work in collaboration with eight other bi-state ▸ partner agencies − TriMe t − City of Portland − C-TRAN − City of Vancouver − Oregon Metro − Port of Portland − SW WA Regional Transportation Council − Port of Vancouver

4 Centering Equity

The Interstate Bridge Replacement program (IBR) is committed to centering equity in our processes and ▸our outcomes. The program will engage the community by elevating the voices of his torica lly ma rgina lize d communitie s throughout our processes and ensure these ▸communities may access the program’s economic and transportation benefits. We commit to not furthering continued harm to these communities. ▸

5 Environmental & Climate Considerations

We understand the importance of the natural environment and health of our community ▸ The program is committed to considering climate impacts and re s ilie ncy throughout development and delivery ▸ We are engaging regional partners to better understand their climate interests and concerns related to the program ▸ Modal choices—including high-capacity transit, walking, biking and rolling—are critical for advancing more efficient movement of ▸ people and goods across the river

6 Program timeline

June 21, 2021 7 Recommendation and Decision Making Framework

June 21, 2021 8 Six Problems:

While the program continues working with stakeholders and the public to identify what has changed, we know that all of the problems identified in previous planning work remain current issues that have not been addressed.

9 Recent Engagement + Outreach

Targeted engagement efforts from Feb- ▸ March gathered feedback on the transportation problems travelers experience with the Interstate Bridge and the values and priorities that should help shape the Summary available program at: ▸ www.interstatebridge .org/get-involved

10 Highlights from Recent Community Engagement

Across all methods of engagement, feedback showed widespread agreement that the six previously identified transportation problems still exist:

Inadequate Congestion bicycle and Other takeaways: & Reliability pedestrian facilities Equity and climate considerations were ▸ cle a rly ide ntifie d a s Earthquake Impaired freight important community vulnerability movement prioritie s S ignifica nt inte re s t in Safety Limited public discussing the details concerns transportation ▸ of a solution

11 We are committed to embedding equity and climate into the program.

The program is continuing to work to embed equity and climate considerations throughout the program in ▸ actionable and measurable ways.

Input received from partners and the community on Equity Framework values and priorities is being used to develop equity ▸ and climate frameworks and corresponding performance measures.

Work with advisory groups and partner agencies will shape these critical components in the coming months. ▸

Climate Framework

12 How IBR is Centering Equity

Grounding the program in the history of the river, the I-5 corridor, and the region ▸ IBR Equity Officer (Johnell Bell) who leads an Equity Program team An Equity Advisory Group to guide the program towards equitable ▸ processes & outcomes ▸ Inclusive and intentional community engagement strategies Language a cce s s ibility & inclus ion ▸ Acce s s ibility & inclus ion for people with disabilities ▸ DEI education & training for IBR program staff ▸ ▸ Equity Advisory Group (EAG)

Purpose is to provide laser-focus on project’s potential impacts and benefits for marginalized and underserved communities. He lps to fulfill IBR progra m’s commitme nt to prioritize equity throughout the course of the program ▸ Monitors and provides oversight of equity throughout program in all elements Makes recommendations to the IBR Program Administrator regarding the ▸ program’s processes, policies, and decisions that have the potential to impact ▸ communities of concern (either positively or negatively) Standing up the EAG

Equity representatives from WSDOT, ODOT, and 8 IBR public partner agencies

▸ 10 appointed representatives of community-based organizations in Oregon and Washington ▸ Process for filling the 5 at-large (community member) seats

1. Open application (59 received) ▸ 2. Initial screening based on established criteria 3. Interviews Providing incentives for participation reduces barriers for communities of concern to participate in the public process, particularly those who are repeatedly asked to share ▸ their expertise and lived experiences to improve program outcomes The program established a policy providing $35 gift card incentives for those that opt in, and are not already being paid by another organization or agency for participation ▸ Historical Context

Indigenous peoples have lived in and traveled to the Portland-Vancouver region since time immemorial, including in the immediate vicinity of the current Interstate Bridge. White settlement disrupted tribal communities in the early 19th Century, and the U.S. government removed most Adjacent to the Interstate Bridge lies The construction of I -5 in the 1950’s Indigenous peoples to reservations in the Vanport , the site of a WWII housing destroyed more than 1,100 homes in 1850s. This area along the development that flooded in 1948, the Albina neighborhood of North remains significant to indigenous forcing residents – about a third of Portland, just a few miles south of the communities today. whom were Black – to evacuate and Interstate Bridge. killing at least 15. 16 IBR Equity Definition

The Interstate Bridge Replacement program defines equity in terms of both process and outcomes.

Process Equity means that the program prioritizes access, influence, and de cis ion-making power for marginalized and underserved communities throughout the program in establishing objectives, design, implementation, and evaluation of success.

Outcome Equity is the result of successful Process Equity and is demonstrated by tangible transportation and economic benefits for marginalized and underserved communities.

17 IBR Equity Definition, cont.

Marginalized and underserved communities are defined as those who experience and/or have experienced discrimination and exclusion based on identity, such as:

• BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) • P e ople with dis a bilitie s • Communitie s with limite d Englis h proficie ncy (LEP ) • Persons with lower income • Houseless individuals and families • Immigrants and refugees • Young people • Older adults Together, Process Equity and Outcome Equity contribute to addressing the impacts of and removing long standing injustices experienced by these communities.

18 Developing an Equity Framework

Program Equity Definition Equity Objectives (What does ‘equity’ mean in (What do we want to the context of IBR?) achieve?)

Equity Framework

Measures of Success Put into action (What do we want to (Community engagement, measure, how will we design, construction measure it?) specifications, etc.)

19 We are identifying the changes needed to update and improve upon past work.

The program will work with partners to identify what has changed contextually and physically to help determine ▸ what design options should be considered. Stakeholder and community input will continue to inform how we conduct the program and what outcomes are ▸ developed. Community values and priorities – including commitments to equity and climate – will be used to ▸ develop screening criteria for design options and help shape the details of the future solution. o 20 High Level Examples of Contextual Changes

Regional, state, and local Past and updated Regional equity policies and priorities Transportation Plans ▸ Regional, state, and local ▸ Updates to FAA requirements climate goals and priorities Land use policies, planned ▸ Demographics ▸ development, and zoning COVID-19 impacts on ▸ changes ▸ transportation Federal transit funding ▸ Environmental regulations requirements Expanded transit opportunities ▸ Freight/Industrial activity ▸ (i.e. bus-on-shoulder) ▸ ▸

21 22 23 Next Steps/Moving Forward Dra ft screening criteria and performance measures using equity and climate frameworks , along with ▸ previously gathered input on community values and priorities Continue to work with agency partners to identify the set of design options to move forward for additional ▸ analysis and community engagement Identify the most effective ways to formalize program commitments through multiple avenues such as letters ▸ of concurrence, memorandums of understanding, and mitigation commitments

June 21, 2021 24 Upcoming Meetings and Events

Community Listening Sessions: Public Meetings: Active Transportation – June 8 Community Advisory Group – June 3 Sustainability and Climate – June 17 Equity Advisory Group – June 21 ▸ ▸ Previous listening sessions: Equity (3/11 ▸ ), Youth (3/15), Multimodal Commuters ▸ ▸ (4/22), Hayden Island (5/18), Freight Movement (5/27), Downtown Vancouver (6/1)

For additional information or to register for a listening session, visit www.interstatebridge.org/calendar

25 For more information contact: Join the conversation. [email protected] 360-859-0494 or 503-897-9218 888-503-6735 https://www.interstatebridge.org www.interstatebridge.org