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Questions Loom About Federal Funding For Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Replacement

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In light of President Trump’s executive orders suspending the disbursement of money from Biden administration infrastructure programs, Columbia Gorge News assesses the prospects for federal funding essential to the pending Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Replacement Project. The Hood River White Salmon Bridge Authority (HRWSBA), the bistate project developer, won a $200 million Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant and is asking for another $532 million in federal assistance to complete the estimated $1.12 billion project.

HRWSBA executive director Mike Shannon said the agency remains confident about its pending application and hopeful that federal financing will come through. The bridge is designated one of the country’s 18 most economically significant bridges. Stakeholders have met with state lawmakers and federal officials to make the case for funding and the bridge’s alignment with Trump administration priorities.

The article also discusses increases in the estimated cost of the project and the impact tariffs could have on the authority’s decision to use steel rather than concrete as the new bridge’s primary construction material.

CTRMA’s 183 North Mobility Project Progresses Toward 2026 Completion

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Community Impact Newspaper catches up on progress and offers a recap of the 183 North Mobility Project, now in its third year of construction and on track for completion by the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA) in 2026. “The $612 million project aims to relieve congestion along 183 North — the 9-mile section of road between MoPac and SH 45 — by adding two toll lanes in each direction that will connect to the existing tolls on MoPac and 183A [Toll] in Cedar Park. The project also added a fourth nontolled northbound and southbound lane, which opened last year, and is working to improve shared-use paths along the corridor for bikes and pedestrians.”

According to CTRMA, area congestion coinciding with population growth has the potential to drive commutes at peak travel times close to an hour in each direction by 2035. Instead, the authority expects the completed project to deliver nine-minute toll lane commutes, and shave 16 to 24 minutes off non-tolled commutes.

The article also discusses the agency’s approach to community outreach and strategies for mitigating the impact of construction on area businesses. It takes note of some local concerns that traffic diversion caused by construction will become permanent and strain the capacity of secondary roads.

Media Tour London’s New Silvertown Tunnel And Report On Toll Avoidance Traffic Concerns

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“Putting any controversies to one side, it is undoubtedly a magnificent piece of engineering,” BBC News reports after getting a preview of the new Silvertown Tunnel in east London. Its April 7 opening will coincide with the imposition of tolls on both the new crossing and the parallel Blackwall Tunnel, a nineteenth century facility previously without tolls but in such disrepair that it reportedly closes about 700 times per year. The article discusses concerns about traffic congestion and cost of living challenges tolling will potentially bring and includes photos from BBC’s tour of the new tunnel.

The Standard also got a preview of the tunnel. Its article and a report in The Times take note of the possibility toll avoidance traffic will impact non-tolled Thames River Crossings, particularly the iconic Tower Bridge. The charitable organization that maintains that bridge is urging Transport for London (TfL) to closely monitor traffic flow after the Silvertown opening. TfL modelling indicates there won’t be a significant increase in Tower Bridge traffic.

Niagara Falls Bridge Commission Announces May 1 Rate Hike

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The Niagara Falls Bridge Commission (NFBC), operator of the binational Rainbow, Whirlpool Rapids, and Lewiston-Queenston Bridges, yesterday announced that US and Canadian currency toll rate increases will take effect on May 1 for all classes of vehicles. The adjustment amounts vary by class. Cash and electronic payment rates for passenger vehicles will rise from USD $5.00/CAD $6.50 to USD $6.00/CAD $8.50. The adjustment is the first since August 2022. Charts of both the current and increased rates are posted online.

According to the NFBC announcement, the May increase “will support critical infrastructure improvements, offset increasing maintenance costs, and ensure the long-term safety and reliability of the three international border crossings under the management of the Commission.” It noted that “increased cost of goods and materials, along with ongoing maintenance expenses, have necessitated the adjustment.”

Oregon Lawmakers Propose Studying Construction Of New Columbia River Bridge

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With the goal of easing congestion in the Portland metro area, a new Oregon bill, SB 1201, directs Oregon DOT to conduct a feasibility study for the bridge project by September 2026, KOIN reports. The proposed bridge, an extension of SR 127 to the west of the I-205 and I-5 bridges in Portland, would connect to I-5 on the Washington side of the Columbia River.

“This bridge would not only ease traffic for millions of Oregonians, but it would provide a lasting, multi-generational solution that will benefit our families and economy for years to come,” said co-sponsor Senator Suzanne Weber (R-16), who serves on the Joint Transportation Committee. Senator Bruce Starr (R-12), the other chief sponsor, is vice-chair of the committee, to which the bill has been referred.