Applications for the Community Advisory Group are now closed

Thank you to those who applied to serve on the program’s Community Advisory Group! Membership selection is currently underway, with the full list of members expected to be announced prior to the first meeting of the Community Advisory Group scheduled for Jan. 27, 2021. To ensure all applicants receive fair and equal consideration, at-large members will be determined using a blind screening process with objective criteria and interviews with selected candidates. The selection committee, consisting of the program administrator and the co-chairs of the Community Advisory Group, will identify the final candidates to be invited to serve to ensure the overall makeup of the group reflects a broad range of stakeholder interests, backgrounds and perspectives. A summary report outlining the application review process will be publicly available following the finalization of member selection.

What is the Community Advisory Group?

The Community Advisory Group (CAG) will be a panel of community members from the greater Portland-Vancouver region who will provide input and feedback on the Interstate Bridge Replacement program. The CAG will develop recommendations to help ensure that the program outcomes reflect community needs, issues and concerns. The advisory group's members and the program team will engage in community dialogue with a commitment to meaningful, two-way feedback. Two co-chairs, one representing each state, will lead the group’s diverse and inclusive membership, with balanced representation from both Washington and Oregon.

Community Advisory Group membership

The Community Advisory Group will be composed of approximately 25 to 30 members, including two co-chairs:

• Approximately 20 positions will be appointed, identified in coordination with agency partners.
• Approximately eight positions will be open to the public or organizations through an application process.

Member eligibility

Member eligibility criteria will be used to screen applications. Those who are regular users of the existing Interstate Bridge or impacted by the program are encouraged to apply. Applicants should have a demonstrated ability to:

• Work together in a collaborative and constructive way that advances the best possible replacement project for an I-5 bridge over the Columbia River.
• Learn about the transportation issues facing the region and be interested in the program. 
• Embrace program values of transparency, equity in transportation, listening to understand, and active participation. 
• Seek solutions through consensus. 
• Create a two-way dialogue with their constituents if representing a specific stakeholder group. 

We encourage Individuals with diverse backgrounds to apply, including - but not limited to - communities of color, low-income, youth, older adults, people with disabilities, and people with limited English proficiency.

Community Advisory Group meetings

The Community Advisory Group is expected to initially meet monthly for two to three hours, with the first meeting planned for January 2021. Once health guidelines no longer require virtual meetings, in-person meetings will be held in the Portland-Vancouver metro area and will rotate between states. All meetings will be open to the public and will include an opportunity for public input.

The program plans to reimburse advisory group members for their participation; details are being finalized.

Visit the new IBR website 

For updated materials and content, please go to the Interstate Bridge Replacement program website at www.interstatebridge.org.

Public meetings

In an effort to follow the states’ social distancing guidelines for slowing the spread of COVID-19, all CAG meetings will be hosted virtually using Zoom until further notice. Meetings will also be livestreamed on YouTube and offer a call-in option for participants without internet access.

Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021 – 4-6 p.m.

Join the webinar via Zoom with passcode: 294877

Join via phone at: 1-253-215-8782 or 669-900-6833

• Webinar ID: 836 2345 1545
• Passcode: 294877

Watch via YouTube

Public input on agenda items is welcome and can be shared via email, phone or online during the meetings (see details below). To provide comments during the meeting please join the meeting using Zoom or phone.

Closed captions are provided on screen and also available in English and Spanish via your web browser.

To request an accommodation, such as materials in alternate formats, please contact the program team at 360-905-1560 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.

Free, temporary internet access is available throughout Washington for those who do not have broadband service. Find the nearest Drive-In WiFi Hotspot.

Let us know what you think

Public input is welcomed for each CAG meeting and can be shared via email, phone or online during the meeting:

• Email comments to info@interstatebridge.org with "CAG Public Comment" in the subject line.
• Call 360-859-0494 (Washington), 503-897-9218 (Oregon), or 888-503-6735 (toll-free) and state "CAG Public Comment" in your message.

Facilitators will provide an opportunity for online participants to give input during the meeting. For online Zoom meetings, when the facilitator asks for public comments, please use the “raise hand" function to indicate that you would like to speak (learn more about how to use the "raise hand" function in Zoom).

Written or verbal comments received at least 48 hours prior to a meeting will be provided to committee members in advance of meeting. All written and verbal comments received prior to or at the meeting will be included in the meeting summary.

Joint Equity Advisory Group/Community Advisory Group orientation

Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021 – 10 a.m-3 p.m.

Watch via YouTube