Task Force staff says fixing old I-5 bridge
crossing less costly than at first thought

In a news release today, the Columbia River Crossing Task Force staff reported that preliminary cost estimates indicate that the congestion relief and mobility project that involves resuscitating the Interstate 5 bridge  and improving the Vancouver-Portland I-5 corridor will be less costly than previously reported.

Total cost estimates for the bridge project are $3.1 to $4.2 billion—when the job is undertaken between 2010 and 2017.

The cost of replacing the Interstate Bridge range between $2.67 and $3.09 billion. Supplemental costs, including interchanges, range from $2.51 billion to $2.88 billion.

Bus rapid transit costs are pegged at $460 million to $990 million. Light rail costs would range from $530 million to $1.17 billion.

The costs estimates will be discussed at two open houses scheduled by the Columbia River Crossing Task Force staff at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17, in the former Hayden Island Yacht Club, 12050 N. Jantzen Drive, and 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, in the Lincoln Elementary School, 4200 NE Daniels Street.

For further information, call Danielle Cogan, 816-8857.

Teri Waite gets promotion at
People’s Community Credit Union

Teri Waite has been promoted to director of business development for the 16,000-member People’s Community Credit Union, according to Lynne Fletcher, credit union CEO.

Waite, who has 19 years’ experience in the credit union industry, has worked for People’s Community Credit Union for the past 14 years.

Prior to her promotion, Waite had been manager of the Battle Ground office.

People’s Credit union has $130 million in assets. Now federally chartered, the credit union was founded in 1952.

Port director tells commissioners
port is bursting at seams

At last week’s Port of Vancouver commissioner’s meeting port director Larry Paulson reported that the port is “bursting at the seams.”

Paulson said the port is on a pace to handle more than 5.5 million tons of cargo this year, a 46 percent increase over 2005 and an increase of more than 21 percent over 2006.

Paulson said he expects 580 vessel calls this year, compared to 369 ships that visited the port in 2006, and 502 ships that visited the port in 2005.

Wind turbine imports are increasing dramatically, according to Paulson. During 2005 the port imported parts to complete 83 complete wind turbines. In 2006, the number had risen to 127 complete wind turbines. By the end of August this year, the port imported enough components to build 305 complete wind turbines.

Ghost Walks resume Friday and Saturday

Hour-long Ghost Walks, presented by the Vancouver Heritage Ambassadors for the Vancouver National Historic Reserve Trust, resume Friday, Oct. 19, and Saturday, Oct. 20, reports Kyle Kihs, reserve trust spokesman.

The hour-long walks provide attendees with ghost stories and historic information about Officers Row and the history of the historic reserve.

Ghost walks depart every 15 minutes from 6:30 to 730 p.m. from the O.O. Howard House on the traffic circle at Officers Row and Fort Vancouver Way. Adult admission is $10, children 11 through 16, $5, and children under 11 are admitted free. For further information, call 992-1800.

Unemployed must look for
work to collect benefits

Of 32,281 people collecting unemployment benefits statewide in the first nine months of 2007, 3,033 were found not to be looking for work and are being assessed an average of $1,100 for failing to look for work while receiving unemployment benefits, according to state Employment Security Department commissioner Karen Lee.  

Lee said that her department conducted more than 39,000 interviews with 32,281 people on unemployment to make sure they were looking for new jobs.

Those receiving state unemployment benefits are required to contact at least three employers each week to remain eligible for benefits. In addition, they must accept any suitable job, Lee said.

News briefs

The Oregon Chamber Players’ 13th anniversary season fall concert is at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, in All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 4033 SE Woodstock Boulevard, Portland. General Admission is $15. For further information, call (888) 627-8788.

The ringing in your ears is
the Miller Nash fax machine

All those who called Miller Nash LLP to sign up for the 8 a.m. to noon. Friday, Oct. 26, Growth Management Conference, in the Hilton Vancouver, Washington, and got the Miller Nash fax machine can blame the editor of the Insider. Not only that the time, date and location of the conference were missing from the story, kind of like a martini with no gin.

The telephone number to call for reservations for the conference on just-adopted changes in the county’s Comprehensive Growth Management Plan is 699-4771.

Clark County Commissioner Marc Boldt will share his perspective on the plan. A $25 course fee includes breakfast.

Calendar

The Fort Vancouver Regional Library District board of directors meets at 6 p.m. this evening in the Stevenson Community Library, 120 NW Vancouver Avenue, Stevenson. <> There is no Vancouver City Council workshop meeting today but the council convenes in regular session at 7 p.m. this evening to consider a consent agenda. <> Clark County commissioners meet in regular session at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16. <> The C-TRAN board of directors meet at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16.

 

Headlines Monday, Oct. 15, 2007

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