Bob Ortblad
@bortblad.bsky.social
Civil Engineer, MBA
40-years P.E. & CPA
Historian of 200 years of infrastructure
Explored 70 countries
40-years P.E. & CPA
Historian of 200 years of infrastructure
Explored 70 countries
Carnival Cruise water slide?
IBR has built a model of its “Shares Use Path”.
It is a half-mile long a with turns totaling 810 degrees.
Designed by costly Knight Architects, London, with $1,379,842 contract.
Also devastates Terminal 1 Public Market.
IBR Oct. Newsletter
mailchi.mp/interstatebr...
IBR has built a model of its “Shares Use Path”.
It is a half-mile long a with turns totaling 810 degrees.
Designed by costly Knight Architects, London, with $1,379,842 contract.
Also devastates Terminal 1 Public Market.
IBR Oct. Newsletter
mailchi.mp/interstatebr...
November 22, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Carnival Cruise water slide?
IBR has built a model of its “Shares Use Path”.
It is a half-mile long a with turns totaling 810 degrees.
Designed by costly Knight Architects, London, with $1,379,842 contract.
Also devastates Terminal 1 Public Market.
IBR Oct. Newsletter
mailchi.mp/interstatebr...
IBR has built a model of its “Shares Use Path”.
It is a half-mile long a with turns totaling 810 degrees.
Designed by costly Knight Architects, London, with $1,379,842 contract.
Also devastates Terminal 1 Public Market.
IBR Oct. Newsletter
mailchi.mp/interstatebr...
The IBR’s claim that wood piles will not support the current I-5 bridges.
The San Francisco Ferry Building, supported by 5,000 wood piles, withstood the 1906 earthquake.
WSDOT spent $10 million on a seismic upgrade of Seattle’s Aurora Bridge, but never altered the bridge’s 1,512 wood piles.
The San Francisco Ferry Building, supported by 5,000 wood piles, withstood the 1906 earthquake.
WSDOT spent $10 million on a seismic upgrade of Seattle’s Aurora Bridge, but never altered the bridge’s 1,512 wood piles.
November 20, 2025 at 5:10 PM
The IBR’s claim that wood piles will not support the current I-5 bridges.
The San Francisco Ferry Building, supported by 5,000 wood piles, withstood the 1906 earthquake.
WSDOT spent $10 million on a seismic upgrade of Seattle’s Aurora Bridge, but never altered the bridge’s 1,512 wood piles.
The San Francisco Ferry Building, supported by 5,000 wood piles, withstood the 1906 earthquake.
WSDOT spent $10 million on a seismic upgrade of Seattle’s Aurora Bridge, but never altered the bridge’s 1,512 wood piles.
Who Stole the People’s Money? – Do Tell
'twas him
'twas him
November 6, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Who Stole the People’s Money? – Do Tell
'twas him
'twas him
Interstate Bridge: $273 million on consultants for “basically the same project”?
Joe Cortright
CityCommentary
Link:
cityobservatory.org/basically_th...
Joe Cortright
CityCommentary
Link:
cityobservatory.org/basically_th...
November 6, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Interstate Bridge: $273 million on consultants for “basically the same project”?
Joe Cortright
CityCommentary
Link:
cityobservatory.org/basically_th...
Joe Cortright
CityCommentary
Link:
cityobservatory.org/basically_th...
IBR’s bridge approach will destroy the value the of Port of Vancouver’s Terminal 1 Vancouver Landing development.
Public Health research has proven within 500 feet or even 1,000 feet of a freeway cause higher rates cancer, asthma, heart attacks, strokes, and pre-term births.
Public Health research has proven within 500 feet or even 1,000 feet of a freeway cause higher rates cancer, asthma, heart attacks, strokes, and pre-term births.
November 4, 2025 at 11:48 PM
IBR’s bridge approach will destroy the value the of Port of Vancouver’s Terminal 1 Vancouver Landing development.
Public Health research has proven within 500 feet or even 1,000 feet of a freeway cause higher rates cancer, asthma, heart attacks, strokes, and pre-term births.
Public Health research has proven within 500 feet or even 1,000 feet of a freeway cause higher rates cancer, asthma, heart attacks, strokes, and pre-term births.
IBR’s video omits Vancouver’s future Public Market and new ZoomInfo HQ, both will be impacted with noise, toxic pollution, and have their views destroyed by IBR bridge approach.
Video also omits the Hurley Building, planned for demolition.
YouTube:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=719k...
Video also omits the Hurley Building, planned for demolition.
YouTube:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=719k...
November 4, 2025 at 11:46 PM
IBR’s video omits Vancouver’s future Public Market and new ZoomInfo HQ, both will be impacted with noise, toxic pollution, and have their views destroyed by IBR bridge approach.
Video also omits the Hurley Building, planned for demolition.
YouTube:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=719k...
Video also omits the Hurley Building, planned for demolition.
YouTube:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=719k...
“JUST DO IT” and “Keeping the lights on” are not rational arguments to approve $2 billion for the IBR.
Jeff Baker stated the facts, no bridge design, and no cost estimate. No reason to approve $2 billion.
Jeff Baker stated the facts, no bridge design, and no cost estimate. No reason to approve $2 billion.
November 1, 2025 at 5:29 PM
“JUST DO IT” and “Keeping the lights on” are not rational arguments to approve $2 billion for the IBR.
Jeff Baker stated the facts, no bridge design, and no cost estimate. No reason to approve $2 billion.
Jeff Baker stated the facts, no bridge design, and no cost estimate. No reason to approve $2 billion.
Greg Johnson is jumping ship!
IBR may want to delete its link to last summer’s political love fest of President Joe Biden’s “Investing in America”.
Link:
www.flickr.com/photos/19413...
Greg is leaving his political crew on a sinking ship.
IBR may want to delete its link to last summer’s political love fest of President Joe Biden’s “Investing in America”.
Link:
www.flickr.com/photos/19413...
Greg is leaving his political crew on a sinking ship.
October 30, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Greg Johnson is jumping ship!
IBR may want to delete its link to last summer’s political love fest of President Joe Biden’s “Investing in America”.
Link:
www.flickr.com/photos/19413...
Greg is leaving his political crew on a sinking ship.
IBR may want to delete its link to last summer’s political love fest of President Joe Biden’s “Investing in America”.
Link:
www.flickr.com/photos/19413...
Greg is leaving his political crew on a sinking ship.
Is the Interstate Bridge Destined to Fail?
Joe Cortright interviewed on the Lars Larson Show
Link;
cityobservatory.org/lars-larson-...
Joe Cortright interviewed on the Lars Larson Show
Link;
cityobservatory.org/lars-larson-...
October 28, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Is the Interstate Bridge Destined to Fail?
Joe Cortright interviewed on the Lars Larson Show
Link;
cityobservatory.org/lars-larson-...
Joe Cortright interviewed on the Lars Larson Show
Link;
cityobservatory.org/lars-larson-...
What if nobody ever came to Port of Vancouver's Terminal 1 Public Market?
A New Orleans Neighborhood Confronts the Racist Legacy of a Toxic Stretch of Highway
NPR:
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
A New Orleans Neighborhood Confronts the Racist Legacy of a Toxic Stretch of Highway
NPR:
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
October 25, 2025 at 7:59 PM
What if nobody ever came to Port of Vancouver's Terminal 1 Public Market?
A New Orleans Neighborhood Confronts the Racist Legacy of a Toxic Stretch of Highway
NPR:
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
A New Orleans Neighborhood Confronts the Racist Legacy of a Toxic Stretch of Highway
NPR:
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Greg Johnson had a massive conflict of interest. He was a WSP Senior VP. Hired as the IBR Administrator he managed a $76 million contract with WSP.
October 25, 2025 at 12:39 AM
Greg Johnson had a massive conflict of interest. He was a WSP Senior VP. Hired as the IBR Administrator he managed a $76 million contract with WSP.
IBR's cost could double or triple.
Oregon DOT’s “Reign of Error” grows worse.
By Joe Cortright
cityobservatory.org/reign_of_err...
Oregon DOT’s “Reign of Error” grows worse.
By Joe Cortright
cityobservatory.org/reign_of_err...
October 24, 2025 at 3:23 PM
IBR's cost could double or triple.
Oregon DOT’s “Reign of Error” grows worse.
By Joe Cortright
cityobservatory.org/reign_of_err...
Oregon DOT’s “Reign of Error” grows worse.
By Joe Cortright
cityobservatory.org/reign_of_err...
WSDOT failed to reduce noise on SR 520, Tacoma Narrows Bridge, and I-5 Ship Canal Bridge.
IBR's bridge will be loud!
IBR's bridge will be loud!
October 22, 2025 at 5:16 PM
WSDOT failed to reduce noise on SR 520, Tacoma Narrows Bridge, and I-5 Ship Canal Bridge.
IBR's bridge will be loud!
IBR's bridge will be loud!
IBR administrator Greg Johnson at every public meeting pleads to get “shovels in the ground”.
He wants to dig a Willie Brown hole.
“Start digging a hole and make it so big, there’s no alternative to coming up with the money to fill it in.”
He wants to dig a Willie Brown hole.
“Start digging a hole and make it so big, there’s no alternative to coming up with the money to fill it in.”
October 21, 2025 at 4:24 PM
IBR administrator Greg Johnson at every public meeting pleads to get “shovels in the ground”.
He wants to dig a Willie Brown hole.
“Start digging a hole and make it so big, there’s no alternative to coming up with the money to fill it in.”
He wants to dig a Willie Brown hole.
“Start digging a hole and make it so big, there’s no alternative to coming up with the money to fill it in.”
July 15, 2021
IBR’s error-filled “Tunnel Concept Assessment” disqualified a tunnel.
June 17, 2022
USCG suggests tunnel evaluation.
Feb. 8, 2023
USCG says IBR may not have a permittable alternative.
IBR continues to ignore tunnel alternative.
Link USCG
www.dco.uscg.mil/Our-Organiza...
IBR’s error-filled “Tunnel Concept Assessment” disqualified a tunnel.
June 17, 2022
USCG suggests tunnel evaluation.
Feb. 8, 2023
USCG says IBR may not have a permittable alternative.
IBR continues to ignore tunnel alternative.
Link USCG
www.dco.uscg.mil/Our-Organiza...
October 21, 2025 at 3:07 PM
July 15, 2021
IBR’s error-filled “Tunnel Concept Assessment” disqualified a tunnel.
June 17, 2022
USCG suggests tunnel evaluation.
Feb. 8, 2023
USCG says IBR may not have a permittable alternative.
IBR continues to ignore tunnel alternative.
Link USCG
www.dco.uscg.mil/Our-Organiza...
IBR’s error-filled “Tunnel Concept Assessment” disqualified a tunnel.
June 17, 2022
USCG suggests tunnel evaluation.
Feb. 8, 2023
USCG says IBR may not have a permittable alternative.
IBR continues to ignore tunnel alternative.
Link USCG
www.dco.uscg.mil/Our-Organiza...
IBR's wildly inflated ridership estimate reduced by Federal software model.
October 14, 2025 C-TRAN Regular Board Meeting
player.invintus.com?clientID=291...
October 14, 2025 C-TRAN Regular Board Meeting
player.invintus.com?clientID=291...
October 16, 2025 at 4:25 PM
IBR's wildly inflated ridership estimate reduced by Federal software model.
October 14, 2025 C-TRAN Regular Board Meeting
player.invintus.com?clientID=291...
October 14, 2025 C-TRAN Regular Board Meeting
player.invintus.com?clientID=291...
IBR backpedaling extremely inflated light rail ridership estimate.
21,600 to 4,600 daily riders.
21,600 to 4,600 daily riders.
October 16, 2025 at 4:22 PM
IBR backpedaling extremely inflated light rail ridership estimate.
21,600 to 4,600 daily riders.
21,600 to 4,600 daily riders.
Mayor McEnerny-Ogle is using "the cost will rise" time-share sales pitch to sell IBR's dangerous bridge, that's too low for the Coast Guard.
Vancouver mayor warns costly delays if I-5 bridge construction doesn't start on time
katu.com/news/local/i...
Vancouver mayor warns costly delays if I-5 bridge construction doesn't start on time
katu.com/news/local/i...
October 9, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Mayor McEnerny-Ogle is using "the cost will rise" time-share sales pitch to sell IBR's dangerous bridge, that's too low for the Coast Guard.
Vancouver mayor warns costly delays if I-5 bridge construction doesn't start on time
katu.com/news/local/i...
Vancouver mayor warns costly delays if I-5 bridge construction doesn't start on time
katu.com/news/local/i...
IBR’s freeway expansion & bridge will:
Destroy 35 businesses and 43 homes, but build 1,270 parking spaces on 6 acres of downtown Vancouver!
Loom over Terminal 1 Public Market
Take an acre of Fort Vancouver
Demolish the Hurley Building
Have 80’ crazy high Transit Station
Destroy 35 businesses and 43 homes, but build 1,270 parking spaces on 6 acres of downtown Vancouver!
Loom over Terminal 1 Public Market
Take an acre of Fort Vancouver
Demolish the Hurley Building
Have 80’ crazy high Transit Station
October 6, 2025 at 9:54 PM
IBR’s freeway expansion & bridge will:
Destroy 35 businesses and 43 homes, but build 1,270 parking spaces on 6 acres of downtown Vancouver!
Loom over Terminal 1 Public Market
Take an acre of Fort Vancouver
Demolish the Hurley Building
Have 80’ crazy high Transit Station
Destroy 35 businesses and 43 homes, but build 1,270 parking spaces on 6 acres of downtown Vancouver!
Loom over Terminal 1 Public Market
Take an acre of Fort Vancouver
Demolish the Hurley Building
Have 80’ crazy high Transit Station
Go Safe Labs ranks the Glen Jackson I-205 the 8th most accident hot spot in the country. An S-curve with rain & ice make it treacherous.
katu.com/news/local/n...
IBR’s bridge will be more dangerous. Steeper at -4% with a tighter S-curve and an icy North-face, it will be deadly.
katu.com/news/local/n...
IBR’s bridge will be more dangerous. Steeper at -4% with a tighter S-curve and an icy North-face, it will be deadly.
October 6, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Go Safe Labs ranks the Glen Jackson I-205 the 8th most accident hot spot in the country. An S-curve with rain & ice make it treacherous.
katu.com/news/local/n...
IBR’s bridge will be more dangerous. Steeper at -4% with a tighter S-curve and an icy North-face, it will be deadly.
katu.com/news/local/n...
IBR’s bridge will be more dangerous. Steeper at -4% with a tighter S-curve and an icy North-face, it will be deadly.
Vancouver should build a downtown for people, not cars.
IBR plans to build 1,270 parking spaces costing $116,000,000.
These 6 acres better used for 900 apartments.
IBR’s 1960’s freeway & parking not attractive to Federal funding.
IBR plans to build 1,270 parking spaces costing $116,000,000.
These 6 acres better used for 900 apartments.
IBR’s 1960’s freeway & parking not attractive to Federal funding.
October 6, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Vancouver should build a downtown for people, not cars.
IBR plans to build 1,270 parking spaces costing $116,000,000.
These 6 acres better used for 900 apartments.
IBR’s 1960’s freeway & parking not attractive to Federal funding.
IBR plans to build 1,270 parking spaces costing $116,000,000.
These 6 acres better used for 900 apartments.
IBR’s 1960’s freeway & parking not attractive to Federal funding.
Suggest Mayor Anne & Rep. Perez stand an hour under I-5 in Portland at North Mississippi Ave. and experience freeway roar and inhale toxic particulates.
Their desire for Vancouver waterfront, downtown, & Fort Vancouver?
Immersed Tunnel offers waterfront park, less noise & toxins.
Their desire for Vancouver waterfront, downtown, & Fort Vancouver?
Immersed Tunnel offers waterfront park, less noise & toxins.
October 6, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Suggest Mayor Anne & Rep. Perez stand an hour under I-5 in Portland at North Mississippi Ave. and experience freeway roar and inhale toxic particulates.
Their desire for Vancouver waterfront, downtown, & Fort Vancouver?
Immersed Tunnel offers waterfront park, less noise & toxins.
Their desire for Vancouver waterfront, downtown, & Fort Vancouver?
Immersed Tunnel offers waterfront park, less noise & toxins.
“Start digging a hole and make it so big, there’s no alternative to coming up with the money to fill it in..." - Willie Brown
20 months of delayed cost estimates for the IBR.
City Commentary:
IBR costs headed to $10 billion, but don’t tell anyone.
cityobservatory.org/ibr_dont_tel...
20 months of delayed cost estimates for the IBR.
City Commentary:
IBR costs headed to $10 billion, but don’t tell anyone.
cityobservatory.org/ibr_dont_tel...
October 1, 2025 at 3:58 PM
“Start digging a hole and make it so big, there’s no alternative to coming up with the money to fill it in..." - Willie Brown
20 months of delayed cost estimates for the IBR.
City Commentary:
IBR costs headed to $10 billion, but don’t tell anyone.
cityobservatory.org/ibr_dont_tel...
20 months of delayed cost estimates for the IBR.
City Commentary:
IBR costs headed to $10 billion, but don’t tell anyone.
cityobservatory.org/ibr_dont_tel...
Article by economist Joe Cortright
Denial and declining traffic on the I-5 bridges
cityobservatory.org/denial-and-d...
“ODOT and WSDOT are proposing to spend as much as $10 billion to widen a roadway where traffic is declining.”
“They’ll make predictions that suit the biases of those who pay them.”
Denial and declining traffic on the I-5 bridges
cityobservatory.org/denial-and-d...
“ODOT and WSDOT are proposing to spend as much as $10 billion to widen a roadway where traffic is declining.”
“They’ll make predictions that suit the biases of those who pay them.”
September 12, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Article by economist Joe Cortright
Denial and declining traffic on the I-5 bridges
cityobservatory.org/denial-and-d...
“ODOT and WSDOT are proposing to spend as much as $10 billion to widen a roadway where traffic is declining.”
“They’ll make predictions that suit the biases of those who pay them.”
Denial and declining traffic on the I-5 bridges
cityobservatory.org/denial-and-d...
“ODOT and WSDOT are proposing to spend as much as $10 billion to widen a roadway where traffic is declining.”
“They’ll make predictions that suit the biases of those who pay them.”
The IBR’s bridge approach graphic by Knight Architects has deceptively omitted the massive dark shadow that will be cast by a 272-foot-wide, 90-foot-high structure.
Morning, the shadow will extent hundreds of feet West on to downtown Vancouver.
Afternoon, hundreds of feet East on Fort Vancouver.
Morning, the shadow will extent hundreds of feet West on to downtown Vancouver.
Afternoon, hundreds of feet East on Fort Vancouver.
September 12, 2025 at 8:14 AM
The IBR’s bridge approach graphic by Knight Architects has deceptively omitted the massive dark shadow that will be cast by a 272-foot-wide, 90-foot-high structure.
Morning, the shadow will extent hundreds of feet West on to downtown Vancouver.
Afternoon, hundreds of feet East on Fort Vancouver.
Morning, the shadow will extent hundreds of feet West on to downtown Vancouver.
Afternoon, hundreds of feet East on Fort Vancouver.