Vancouver resident and others press commission on freeway encampments and I‑5 bridge inspection records
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
Two in‑person and one remote public commenter urged the commission to address freeway homelessness, cleanups, and provide independent bridge inspections for I‑5; commenters also criticized project costs and called for alternatives. Transcript materials submitted to the commission’s FTP site were referenced.
Three public commenters used the commission’s public‑comment period to press officials on freeway conditions and the Interstate Bridge Project.
Bruce Barnes, who identified himself as a Vancouver, Washington resident, told the commission he has repeatedly tried to obtain information from regional transportation staff and described trash and encampments along freeways in southwest Washington. "I'm here out of fresh sheer frustration," Barnes said. He told the commission a prior cleanup of a site near a Toyota facility cost more than $2,000,000 and warned he may pursue legal action under environmental statutes if conditions are not addressed.
Bob Orblad, a professional civil engineer speaking from the audience, criticized project testimony from the prior day and alleged project teams and consultants have withheld information. "The IVR and their cabal of consultants have lied and withheld information and built a costly $18,000,000,000 project," Orblad said and urged commissioners to review materials he submitted to the commission.
On Zoom, Sharon Nascent of ThirdBridgeNow.org asked the commission to provide "the most recent full independent inspection that list repairs, cost, why replace instead of repair?" She said previous processes dating to the early 2000s failed to produce the inspection list and cost evidence the public requested.
Commission chair Debbie Young and staff confirmed that written comments had been posted to the commission FTP site and that the commission was aware of submitted materials. There was no formal response in the meeting record providing the independent inspection lists; staff said remote commenters could enter their names into the Q&A and the commission would receive written materials.
Next steps: commissioners acknowledged receipt of public comments and the submitted documents on the commission FTP site. Commenters asked staff and the interstate bridge project team for clearer inspection evidence and cost breakdowns; commissioners invited staff to follow up as available.