Casey Liles, program delivery manager, told the committee on Sept. 15 that the program has issued a notice to proceed to begin advanced ground‑improvement test work on Hayden Island. Liles said the contract with Keller North America will perform tests and ground improvement work over the next four to six months, and that results will inform design and construction methods for the project. "That work will inform our design, and construction methods, moving forward into construction," Liles said.

Why it matters: Early ground‑improvement tests reduce geotechnical uncertainty, provide constructability data to potential bidders and support a more accurate cost‑estimate and schedule. Liles said the Hayden Island work is funded from existing program funds and a $1 million Bridge Investment Program planning grant.

Procurement and industry outreach: Liles described an industry day held roughly a week before the meeting that drew more than 300 participants and a vendor portal with roughly 3,600 registered contacts. He said the program has identified 28 construction and delivery packages across the corridor and provided attendees a schedule and proposed delivery methods, including a progressive design‑build approach for the Columbia River Bridge itself.

Schedule: Staff reiterated an objective to begin enabling construction activities in late 2026 if the program achieves a record of decision and completes pending approvals. Liles said the Columbia River Bridge will be the first major bridge procurement once the ROD is secured and that other early contracts (retaining walls, temporary traffic works) are being advanced for near‑term advertisement.

Ending: Program delivery staff asked industry to register on the program’s vendor portal and said they would continue regular webinars and public‑facing updates to coordinate contracting and workforce development across the two states.