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 IBR Program Publishes Regional Infrastructure Workforce Study A skilled and diverse workforce that is ready to meet the challenges of the future is critical to the success of the Interstate Bridge Replacement program. The program is working to find strategies that could help improve workforce readiness and empower participation by business owners and workers of historically disadvantaged communities in the decade-long construction of IBR program investments. To better understand the strengths and opportunities within the region’s construction labor market, the IBR program commissioned a comprehensive study by the three workforce development boards representing the Portland metro area and Southwest Washington: Worksystems Inc., Clackamas Workforce Partnership and Workforce Southwest Washington. The research team also included Portland State University, the Oregon Employment Department and Estolano Advisors. The workforce study analyzes the current and projected supply of construction workers and skilled tradespeople anticipated to be needed to support the more than 100 public infrastructure projects slated in the region in the next five years. The data shows that while there are plenty of workers to meet the needs of the various construction projects for the region, there is still a greater need for workers who are women and people of color. Like the IBR program, many of these projects have goals to utilize a more diverse workforce. The study also lays out several recommendations for consideration that could support efforts to help ensure equitable economic and workforce development. The program is in the early stages of discussions, internally and with program partners, to identify actionable strategies within IBR’s scope. The program is committed to being intentional in how it pursues impactful measures to enhance diversity and inclusion in the regional workforce. This study is an important first step in those efforts, and the IBR program is continuing to research data and strategies to build workforce opportunities for all of our equity-priority communities, including people with disabilities, tribal members, people experiencing homelessness and more. View the study here. An executive summary is also available. What’s Been Happening New visualizations provide first look at pedestrian perspectives of potential bridge configurations In early March, the IBR program released new visualizations illustrating what the three potential configurations of a replacement bridge currently being studied in the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) might look like. These renderings are intended to give the community an idea of what it would be like to view the bridge and nearby elements at the street level from a pedestrian perspective and while traveling on shared use paths in the program area. The four viewpoints include a street-level view looking north from Center Avenue on Hayden Island and while traveling the shared use path on the east side of the bridge over Hayden Island, as well as views on either side of the bridge from the Vancouver waterfront. These visualizations are for illustration purposes only and do not reflect property impacts or final design. When the Draft SEIS is published, it will provide an understanding of the various impacts associated with the three bridge configurations.  Tolling remains key funding element for Interstate Bridge despite changes to tolling in Oregon Last month, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek announced that the Oregon Department of Transportation’s regional tolling plans would no longer move forward. While this direction was applied to the Regional Mobility Pricing Project (RMPP), it was not intended to collection of tolls to fund the IBR program. Tolling remains an integral piece of funding for the Interstate Bridge, and a key demonstration of locally committed matching funds in our pursuit of federal competitive grants. Oregon was previously identified as the operator of tolls on the Interstate Bridge to ensure a seamless experience with other regional toll facilities planned for the area. Following the direction to pause additional work on Oregon Toll programs, ODOT is working with the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to transition future tolling operations on the bridge to WSDOT’s Good to Go! system. The recently formed I-5 Bridge bi-state toll subcommittee comprised of members of the Oregon and Washington Transportation Commissions will continue their work to jointly determine toll rates and policies for the Interstate Bridge. The committee’s next meeting is scheduled for April 19.  Recent Meetings Executive Steering Group (ESG) — March 5The first Executive Steering Group meeting of 2024 began with program updates regarding visits by U.S. Transportation Sec. Pete Buttigieg and Federal Highways Administrator Shailen Bhatt, as well as recent industry engagement and community outreach efforts. The ESG received a brief overview of recent work and discussions of the program’s three advisory groups and formation of the bi-state tolling subcommittee. New bridge visualizations were rolled at this meeting and provide program partners and the public with perspective of what the future replacement bridge could look like from a pedestrian point of view. These visualizations are from four unique viewpoints, two on each side of the bridge and either side of the river and show three bridge types across the three potential configurations — single level, double deck or movable span. The ESG was walked through the table of contents of the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) and future engagement efforts associated with its release. They were provided with a preview of the findings of the regional workforce study commissioned by the IBR program. Community Advisory Group (CAG) — March 14 The Community Advisory Group received an update on recent activities from Program Administrator Greg Johnson before diving into topics that include the release of new bridge visualizations meant to provide a perspective for those who walk, bike, ride and roll from the street level and from shared use paths in the program area, a discussion regarding the design process for the Hayden Island transit station, and an overview of the regional workforce study and what the results mean for IBR. Equity Advisory Group (EAG) – March 18 The Equity Advisory Group heard a program update and a report on recent community engagement efforts which included outreach to community-based organizations representing equity priority communities. Members saw the new bridge visualizations which provide a perspective for those who walk, bike, ride and roll from the street level and from shared use paths in the program area, and received an overview of the regional workforce study findings and discussed the Hayden Island transit station. Community Benefits Advisory Group (CBAG) – March 28 Members of the Community Benefits Advisory Group received a program update and presentation regarding the rollout of the program’s regional workforce study. They also heard about examples of potential community benefits relating to workforce equity and economic opportunity, as well as support for Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE). They ended with small group discussions to continue reviewing, editing and proposing draft recommendations to the program. Myth vs. Fact Myth: The IBR program can release the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) as soon as it completes the technical analysis. Fact: The process to produce the Draft SEIS is guided by federal regulations set forth in the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Because this is a federal process, it requires the approval of our federal lead agencies, the Federal Highway (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administrations (FTA), before being released for public review. The program is currently engaged in technical reviews with these partners — as well as other joint NEPA lead agencies such as ODOT, WSDOT, Metro, Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Council, TriMet and C-TRAN. This comprehensive and careful review is intended to ensure the accuracy of the Draft SEIS and enable the public to provide comment on the correct information during the public comment period. Upon completion of technical reviews, FHWA and FTA will complete a legal review to make sure the Draft SEIS complies with applicable regulations. Once the Draft SEIS is finalized and signed, then added to the Federal Register, the program will widely share announcements to notify the public that the document is ready for their review and comment. At this time, the 60-day public comment period will begin, and community members can provide feedback on the findings within the Draft SEIS. On the Horizon Upcoming Advisory Group Meetings & Events Equity Advisory Group Monday, April 15 — 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Community Benefits Advisory Group Thursday, April 25 — 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Meetings & Events Calendar IBR Office Hours Do you have questions and want to speak to a real person? We answer questions on a range of topics, including design, equity, Disadvantaged and Small Business Enterprise opportunities, community engagement, financial plans, and much more! Join us for IBR office hours, in person or virtually, and get your questions answered! NOTE: No new technical data will be available until the release of the environmental documentation. Please make a 30-minute reservation at least 24 hours in advance. There are three ways you can make a reservation: Visit: SignUpGenius Email: info@interstatebridge.org Call: 888-503-6735 Please provide your contact information and what you would like to talk about. We will confirm your appointment and provide meeting details upon confirmation. See you there! |
 Emails us at info@interstatebridge.org or call 360-859-0494 (Washington), 503-897-9218 (Oregon), 888-503-6735 (toll-free). The IBR program is subject to Oregon and Washington public records laws. Therefore, public comments and questions (verbal or written) may be made available to anyone requesting them for non-commercial purposes.Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Civil Rights Title VI accommodations in Oregon For ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) or Civil Rights Title VI accommodations, translation/interpretation services, or more information for those in Oregon, please call 503-731-4128, TTY 800-735- 2900 or Oregon Relay Service 711. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Title VI accommodations in Washington Accommodation requests for people with disabilities in Washington can be made by contacting the WSDOT Diversity/ADA Affairs team at wsdotada@wsdot.wa.gov or by calling toll-free, 855-362-4ADA (4232). Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may make a request by calling the Washington State Relay at 711. Any person who believes his/her Title VI protection has been violated, may file a complaint with WSDOT’s Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO) Title VI Coordinator by contacting (360) 705-7090. Copyright © 2024 Interstate Bridge Replacement Program, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website. Our mailing address is: Interstate Bridge Replacement Program11018 NE 51st CircleVancouver, WA98682-6686 |
East Columbia Neighborhood Association 