$30 million in federal funding for Community Connector Lid project awarded
January 15, 2025
On Friday, the City of Vancouver and Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) were awarded $30 million in federal funds from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Reconnecting Communities Pilot (RCP) Grant Program for a joint project to build a connector lid over I-5 as part of the investments associated with the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program (IBR).
“The idea for the lid has been years in the making; the concept was part of the original Columbia River Crossing project,” said Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle. “During 2024, the City and IBR staff met with community leaders to begin discussions on how the lid should be used and how it could be designed to promote reconnection across the freeway with downtown Vancouver and the Fort Vancouver Historic Reserve.”
The engagement efforts led to 20 letters of local support for the RCP grant application. As planning for the Connector continues, there will be more community engagement activities and opportunities for input.
The Connector will feature pathways for active transportation, public spaces and amenities that complement the transit station and nearby uses. It will be located adjacent to a new light-rail station in the bridge replacement program.
The IBR Program has committed $30 million from the funding allocated to the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program to provide the required 50% match funding needed to obtain a grant from the RCP Program.
“This is the largest competitive grant the City has ever received,” said Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle. “It represents what we can do when we collaborate to bring tax-payer dollars back to our community. We are grateful to WSDOT, IBR, and the community members who supported the grant application efforts.”
Media contact: Laura Shepard, Communications Director, laura.shepard@cityofvancouver.us
