The current I-5 bridge isn't obsolete. ODOT's own website stated factually that the span has another 60 years left in its lifespan.

http://www.columbian.com/news/2012/jul/29/…

Note that the Coast Guard document explicitly says the permit is void if any changes are made to the planned structure.

In other words, no fixing this.

Is "bridgedoggle" a word?

Personally, I'm against any inter-state bridge that the costs are not borne by both states...
that having been said, this insanity of reasoning that holds that building a bridge in itself leads to all sorts of environmenal destruction needs to be clear headily debunked at every possible chance.

Can we please all stop pretending along with ODOT that this is a bridge project? This is a massive freeway expansion stretching over 5 miles, if it was just about the bridge we'd be done already.