Bob Ortblad
@bortblad.bsky.social
Civil Engineer, MBA
40-years P.E. & CPA
Historian of 200 years of infrastructure
Explored 70 countries
40-years P.E. & CPA
Historian of 200 years of infrastructure
Explored 70 countries
Pinned
Bob Ortblad
@bortblad.bsky.social
· Feb 3
WA & OR can save $5 billion
Don’t add one lane for 5 miles & rebuild 7 interchanges.
Repurposed current bridges.
Scrap Park & Ride & build housing.
Build an Immersed Tunnel, less cost & time, safer for barges, salmon & people.
Don’t add one lane for 5 miles & rebuild 7 interchanges.
Repurposed current bridges.
Scrap Park & Ride & build housing.
Build an Immersed Tunnel, less cost & time, safer for barges, salmon & people.
BR claims an Immersed Tunnel will be twice the cost of a bridge. Columbia River is 2,700 feet wide. Antwerp is building a tunnel at 4,200 feet, 50% longer, with 6-lanes and bike path for only $680 million.
YouTube video of tunnel's construction:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=72kD...
YouTube video of tunnel's construction:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=72kD...
Take a look inside Belgium's construction site of the century
YouTube video by Jan De Nul Group
www.youtube.com
December 21, 2025 at 8:51 PM
BR claims an Immersed Tunnel will be twice the cost of a bridge. Columbia River is 2,700 feet wide. Antwerp is building a tunnel at 4,200 feet, 50% longer, with 6-lanes and bike path for only $680 million.
YouTube video of tunnel's construction:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=72kD...
YouTube video of tunnel's construction:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=72kD...
IBR Incompetence or Corruption?
At the Dec. 15th Bi-State Legislative Committee meeting the “IBR Ground Improvement Test Program” was presented. The IBR is spending $1.9 million for no useful information.
Link:
www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/lett...
At the Dec. 15th Bi-State Legislative Committee meeting the “IBR Ground Improvement Test Program” was presented. The IBR is spending $1.9 million for no useful information.
Link:
www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/lett...
December 18, 2025 at 10:32 PM
IBR Incompetence or Corruption?
At the Dec. 15th Bi-State Legislative Committee meeting the “IBR Ground Improvement Test Program” was presented. The IBR is spending $1.9 million for no useful information.
Link:
www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/lett...
At the Dec. 15th Bi-State Legislative Committee meeting the “IBR Ground Improvement Test Program” was presented. The IBR is spending $1.9 million for no useful information.
Link:
www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/lett...
The IBR is hiding the devastating scale of its bridge approaches on Vancouver and Hayden Island. None of their graphics reflect the size of the approaches, almost 100 yards wide and over 100 feet high.
There would be public outrage if corner poles were erected.
There would be public outrage if corner poles were erected.
December 16, 2025 at 11:28 PM
The IBR is hiding the devastating scale of its bridge approaches on Vancouver and Hayden Island. None of their graphics reflect the size of the approaches, almost 100 yards wide and over 100 feet high.
There would be public outrage if corner poles were erected.
There would be public outrage if corner poles were erected.
Carnival Cruise water slide?
IBR has built a model of its “Shares Use Path”.
It is a half-mile long a with turns totaling 810 degrees.
Designed by costly Knight Architects, London, with $1,379,842 contract.
Also devastates Terminal 1 Public Market.
IBR Oct. Newsletter
mailchi.mp/interstatebr...
IBR has built a model of its “Shares Use Path”.
It is a half-mile long a with turns totaling 810 degrees.
Designed by costly Knight Architects, London, with $1,379,842 contract.
Also devastates Terminal 1 Public Market.
IBR Oct. Newsletter
mailchi.mp/interstatebr...
November 22, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Carnival Cruise water slide?
IBR has built a model of its “Shares Use Path”.
It is a half-mile long a with turns totaling 810 degrees.
Designed by costly Knight Architects, London, with $1,379,842 contract.
Also devastates Terminal 1 Public Market.
IBR Oct. Newsletter
mailchi.mp/interstatebr...
IBR has built a model of its “Shares Use Path”.
It is a half-mile long a with turns totaling 810 degrees.
Designed by costly Knight Architects, London, with $1,379,842 contract.
Also devastates Terminal 1 Public Market.
IBR Oct. Newsletter
mailchi.mp/interstatebr...
The IBR’s claim that wood piles will not support the current I-5 bridges.
The San Francisco Ferry Building, supported by 5,000 wood piles, withstood the 1906 earthquake.
WSDOT spent $10 million on a seismic upgrade of Seattle’s Aurora Bridge, but never altered the bridge’s 1,512 wood piles.
The San Francisco Ferry Building, supported by 5,000 wood piles, withstood the 1906 earthquake.
WSDOT spent $10 million on a seismic upgrade of Seattle’s Aurora Bridge, but never altered the bridge’s 1,512 wood piles.
November 20, 2025 at 5:10 PM
The IBR’s claim that wood piles will not support the current I-5 bridges.
The San Francisco Ferry Building, supported by 5,000 wood piles, withstood the 1906 earthquake.
WSDOT spent $10 million on a seismic upgrade of Seattle’s Aurora Bridge, but never altered the bridge’s 1,512 wood piles.
The San Francisco Ferry Building, supported by 5,000 wood piles, withstood the 1906 earthquake.
WSDOT spent $10 million on a seismic upgrade of Seattle’s Aurora Bridge, but never altered the bridge’s 1,512 wood piles.
Reposted by Bob Ortblad
"Maybe the OTC and Oregon lawmakers will wake up and take our state's approach to transportation in a very different direction — one that stops chasing freeway expansion megaprojects as a solution to climate change (which is what Strickler believed them to be)..."
bikeportland.org/2025/11/13/o...
bikeportland.org/2025/11/13/o...
ODOT turmoil continues as director signals his exit
Maybe Strickler just got tired of not winning.
bikeportland.org
November 13, 2025 at 6:06 PM
"Maybe the OTC and Oregon lawmakers will wake up and take our state's approach to transportation in a very different direction — one that stops chasing freeway expansion megaprojects as a solution to climate change (which is what Strickler believed them to be)..."
bikeportland.org/2025/11/13/o...
bikeportland.org/2025/11/13/o...
Interstate Bridge: $273 million on consultants for “basically the same project”?
Joe Cortright
CityCommentary
Link:
cityobservatory.org/basically_th...
Joe Cortright
CityCommentary
Link:
cityobservatory.org/basically_th...
November 6, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Interstate Bridge: $273 million on consultants for “basically the same project”?
Joe Cortright
CityCommentary
Link:
cityobservatory.org/basically_th...
Joe Cortright
CityCommentary
Link:
cityobservatory.org/basically_th...
IBR’s bridge approach will destroy the value the of Port of Vancouver’s Terminal 1 Vancouver Landing development.
Public Health research has proven within 500 feet or even 1,000 feet of a freeway cause higher rates cancer, asthma, heart attacks, strokes, and pre-term births.
Public Health research has proven within 500 feet or even 1,000 feet of a freeway cause higher rates cancer, asthma, heart attacks, strokes, and pre-term births.
November 4, 2025 at 11:48 PM
IBR’s bridge approach will destroy the value the of Port of Vancouver’s Terminal 1 Vancouver Landing development.
Public Health research has proven within 500 feet or even 1,000 feet of a freeway cause higher rates cancer, asthma, heart attacks, strokes, and pre-term births.
Public Health research has proven within 500 feet or even 1,000 feet of a freeway cause higher rates cancer, asthma, heart attacks, strokes, and pre-term births.
IBR’s video omits Vancouver’s future Public Market and new ZoomInfo HQ, both will be impacted with noise, toxic pollution, and have their views destroyed by IBR bridge approach.
Video also omits the Hurley Building, planned for demolition.
YouTube:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=719k...
Video also omits the Hurley Building, planned for demolition.
YouTube:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=719k...
November 4, 2025 at 11:46 PM
IBR’s video omits Vancouver’s future Public Market and new ZoomInfo HQ, both will be impacted with noise, toxic pollution, and have their views destroyed by IBR bridge approach.
Video also omits the Hurley Building, planned for demolition.
YouTube:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=719k...
Video also omits the Hurley Building, planned for demolition.
YouTube:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=719k...
“JUST DO IT” and “Keeping the lights on” are not rational arguments to approve $2 billion for the IBR.
Jeff Baker stated the facts, no bridge design, and no cost estimate. No reason to approve $2 billion.
Jeff Baker stated the facts, no bridge design, and no cost estimate. No reason to approve $2 billion.
November 1, 2025 at 5:29 PM
“JUST DO IT” and “Keeping the lights on” are not rational arguments to approve $2 billion for the IBR.
Jeff Baker stated the facts, no bridge design, and no cost estimate. No reason to approve $2 billion.
Jeff Baker stated the facts, no bridge design, and no cost estimate. No reason to approve $2 billion.
"I also struggle with the notion that we’re putting $2 billion forward here without having an answer on what this bridge is going to look like… I can’t support the request based on wrong information.”
— Jeff Baker, Oregon Transportation Commission
bikeportland.org/2025/10/30/n...
— Jeff Baker, Oregon Transportation Commission
bikeportland.org/2025/10/30/n...
'No' vote an ominous first for Interstate Bridge project
While it was just a procedural step, Commissioner Jeff Baker was not having it.
bikeportland.org
October 31, 2025 at 2:43 AM
"I also struggle with the notion that we’re putting $2 billion forward here without having an answer on what this bridge is going to look like… I can’t support the request based on wrong information.”
— Jeff Baker, Oregon Transportation Commission
bikeportland.org/2025/10/30/n...
— Jeff Baker, Oregon Transportation Commission
bikeportland.org/2025/10/30/n...
Greg Johnson is jumping ship!
IBR may want to delete its link to last summer’s political love fest of President Joe Biden’s “Investing in America”.
Link:
www.flickr.com/photos/19413...
Greg is leaving his political crew on a sinking ship.
IBR may want to delete its link to last summer’s political love fest of President Joe Biden’s “Investing in America”.
Link:
www.flickr.com/photos/19413...
Greg is leaving his political crew on a sinking ship.
October 30, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Greg Johnson is jumping ship!
IBR may want to delete its link to last summer’s political love fest of President Joe Biden’s “Investing in America”.
Link:
www.flickr.com/photos/19413...
Greg is leaving his political crew on a sinking ship.
IBR may want to delete its link to last summer’s political love fest of President Joe Biden’s “Investing in America”.
Link:
www.flickr.com/photos/19413...
Greg is leaving his political crew on a sinking ship.
Is the Interstate Bridge Destined to Fail?
Joe Cortright interviewed on the Lars Larson Show
Link;
cityobservatory.org/lars-larson-...
Joe Cortright interviewed on the Lars Larson Show
Link;
cityobservatory.org/lars-larson-...
October 28, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Is the Interstate Bridge Destined to Fail?
Joe Cortright interviewed on the Lars Larson Show
Link;
cityobservatory.org/lars-larson-...
Joe Cortright interviewed on the Lars Larson Show
Link;
cityobservatory.org/lars-larson-...
Reposted by Bob Ortblad
NMF co-founder Joe Cortright @cityobservatory.bsky.social spoke to KGW about the latest updates on the Interstate Bridge Replacement - turns out the project is not doing so hot!
Where’s the accountability from the Oregon legislature and the Governor?
#orpol #orleg
Where’s the accountability from the Oregon legislature and the Governor?
#orpol #orleg
October 28, 2025 at 6:39 AM
NMF co-founder Joe Cortright @cityobservatory.bsky.social spoke to KGW about the latest updates on the Interstate Bridge Replacement - turns out the project is not doing so hot!
Where’s the accountability from the Oregon legislature and the Governor?
#orpol #orleg
Where’s the accountability from the Oregon legislature and the Governor?
#orpol #orleg
IBR also lied about an immersed tunnel alternative. They fraudulently inflated excavation by four times.
"Interstate Bridge Replacement Program incompetence and deception"
www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opin...
www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opin...
"Interstate Bridge Replacement Program incompetence and deception"
www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opin...
www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opin...
Opinion: The IBR guts transit ridership projections by 84 percent and O&M costs by over half - ClarkCountyToday.com
John Ley writes that the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program has slashed its projected transit ridership by 84 percent, raising questions about accuracy, leadership, and the need for costly light ra...
www.clarkcountytoday.com
October 27, 2025 at 11:49 PM
IBR also lied about an immersed tunnel alternative. They fraudulently inflated excavation by four times.
"Interstate Bridge Replacement Program incompetence and deception"
www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opin...
www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opin...
"Interstate Bridge Replacement Program incompetence and deception"
www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opin...
www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opin...
Time to stop dumping money on 1960's style freeway and dangerous bridge.
"The IBR has spent more than $200 million on consultants, on top of $200 million spent a decade ago on the CRC, ... are a virtual scene-for-scene remake of its predecessor in 2014."
www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opin...
"The IBR has spent more than $200 million on consultants, on top of $200 million spent a decade ago on the CRC, ... are a virtual scene-for-scene remake of its predecessor in 2014."
www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opin...
Opinion: IBR’s problems are much deeper than its leadership - ClarkCountyToday.com
Joe Cortright of City Observatory says Greg Johnson’s departure from the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program won’t fix its systemic issues, calling the IBR a costly repeat of the failed Columbia Riv...
www.clarkcountytoday.com
October 27, 2025 at 11:46 PM
Time to stop dumping money on 1960's style freeway and dangerous bridge.
"The IBR has spent more than $200 million on consultants, on top of $200 million spent a decade ago on the CRC, ... are a virtual scene-for-scene remake of its predecessor in 2014."
www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opin...
"The IBR has spent more than $200 million on consultants, on top of $200 million spent a decade ago on the CRC, ... are a virtual scene-for-scene remake of its predecessor in 2014."
www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opin...
What if nobody ever came to Port of Vancouver's Terminal 1 Public Market?
A New Orleans Neighborhood Confronts the Racist Legacy of a Toxic Stretch of Highway
NPR:
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
A New Orleans Neighborhood Confronts the Racist Legacy of a Toxic Stretch of Highway
NPR:
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
October 25, 2025 at 7:59 PM
What if nobody ever came to Port of Vancouver's Terminal 1 Public Market?
A New Orleans Neighborhood Confronts the Racist Legacy of a Toxic Stretch of Highway
NPR:
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
A New Orleans Neighborhood Confronts the Racist Legacy of a Toxic Stretch of Highway
NPR:
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
A tunnel will protect the citizens of Vancouver. IBR’s bridge approach will inflict 100 years of noise, toxic pollution, and visual blight on Vancouver’s downtown and riverfront.
Part II: Proposed I-5 Bridge replacement
www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/part-ii...
Part II: Proposed I-5 Bridge replacement
www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/part-ii...
Part II: Proposed I-5 Bridge replacement - ClarkCountyToday.com
Vancouver’s mayoral and City Council candidates share their views on the long-delayed I-5 Bridge Replacement Project, debating whether to continue the current plan or push for new alternatives.
www.clarkcountytoday.com
October 25, 2025 at 7:13 PM
A tunnel will protect the citizens of Vancouver. IBR’s bridge approach will inflict 100 years of noise, toxic pollution, and visual blight on Vancouver’s downtown and riverfront.
Part II: Proposed I-5 Bridge replacement
www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/part-ii...
Part II: Proposed I-5 Bridge replacement
www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/part-ii...
Reposted by Bob Ortblad
Breaking news: Interstate Bridge Replacement Project Administrator Greg Johnson is stepping down from his role in the project effective Dec. 31.
He will be replaced by Carley Francis from WashDOT.
He will be replaced by Carley Francis from WashDOT.
October 24, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Breaking news: Interstate Bridge Replacement Project Administrator Greg Johnson is stepping down from his role in the project effective Dec. 31.
He will be replaced by Carley Francis from WashDOT.
He will be replaced by Carley Francis from WashDOT.
IBR's cost could double or triple.
Oregon DOT’s “Reign of Error” grows worse.
By Joe Cortright
cityobservatory.org/reign_of_err...
Oregon DOT’s “Reign of Error” grows worse.
By Joe Cortright
cityobservatory.org/reign_of_err...
October 24, 2025 at 3:23 PM
IBR's cost could double or triple.
Oregon DOT’s “Reign of Error” grows worse.
By Joe Cortright
cityobservatory.org/reign_of_err...
Oregon DOT’s “Reign of Error” grows worse.
By Joe Cortright
cityobservatory.org/reign_of_err...
Port of Vancouver's $84 million Public Market will be spoiled by IBR's loud overhanging bridge.
www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/lett...
www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/lett...
Letter: ‘The Port of Vancouver should withdraw its support for the IBR’s bridge design’ - ClarkCountyToday.com
Seattle resident Bob Ortblad urges the Port of Vancouver to withdraw its support for the IBR bridge design, arguing it would harm the Terminal 1 Public Market and create severe noise and air pollution...
www.clarkcountytoday.com
October 22, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Port of Vancouver's $84 million Public Market will be spoiled by IBR's loud overhanging bridge.
www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/lett...
www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/lett...
IBR administrator Greg Johnson at every public meeting pleads to get “shovels in the ground”.
He wants to dig a Willie Brown hole.
“Start digging a hole and make it so big, there’s no alternative to coming up with the money to fill it in.”
He wants to dig a Willie Brown hole.
“Start digging a hole and make it so big, there’s no alternative to coming up with the money to fill it in.”
October 21, 2025 at 4:24 PM
IBR administrator Greg Johnson at every public meeting pleads to get “shovels in the ground”.
He wants to dig a Willie Brown hole.
“Start digging a hole and make it so big, there’s no alternative to coming up with the money to fill it in.”
He wants to dig a Willie Brown hole.
“Start digging a hole and make it so big, there’s no alternative to coming up with the money to fill it in.”