Bridge Builders Get Permission to Gently Disturb Local Whales
Published Date: 5/18/2026
Rule
Summary
The Interstate Bridge Replacement Project on I-5 between Portland, OR, and Vancouver, WA, will run from September 2027 to September 2032. During construction, some marine mammals might be disturbed, but NOAA has set rules to keep impacts as low as possible. This plan includes monitoring and reporting to protect local wildlife while upgrading the bridge.
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Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Work timing, pile counts, schedule
The rule limits impact pile driving to the annual in-water window September 15 through April 15 and allows vibratory driving year-round. For the first 5 years the project anticipates about 1,725 non-consecutive in-water work days, installation of approximately 1,560 temporary steel pipe piles and 1,500 linear feet (457 m) of steel sheet piles.
Five-year LOA authorizes work
NOAA issued a 5-year rule and Letter of Authorization (LOA) that allows the Interstate Bridge Replacement Project to conduct in-water construction between September 15, 2027 and September 14, 2032. The LOA sets the legal permission for pile driving and other in-water work during that period, subject to the rule's mitigation, monitoring, and reporting requirements.
Required noise mitigation and testing
For impact pile driving in water depths >0.67 m the project must use bubble curtains that cover 100% of the pile circumference and contact the substrate, and perform hydroacoustic monitoring of impact driving. Up to 75 unattenuated test strikes may be required (about 10 minutes, ~1 day per week) with testing on up to ~30 days during the 5-year LOA and ~40 days total over the in-water construction period.
Monitoring, PSO and reporting duties
The IBRP must employ NMFS-approved protected species observers (PSOs) for all pile driving activities, with pre-start clearance monitoring 30 minutes before work and 30 minutes after, and maintain at least two monitoring locations when practicable. Daily monitoring and reporting must record dates, times, environmental conditions, numbers of marine mammals detected within harassment zones by species, strikes for impact driving, and any shutdowns or delays.
Potential ironworker employment boost
A comment submitted in the rulemaking expressed support for the IBR Project and noted potential increases in employment and training opportunities for ironworkers associated with the bridge construction. NMFS reported that one comment letter made this point.
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