Legislation recently introduced by Rep. John Ley, R-Vancouver, would require an independent audit of the Interstate 5 Bridge Replacement Project to increase transparency and accountability.
House Bill 2669 directs the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee to conduct a performance audit of the project’s planning, management and funding since its restart in 2019, with findings reported to the Legislature by Dec. 1, 2027, according to a news release by Washington State House Republicans on Jan. 26.
“With a project of this size and cost, taxpayers deserve clear answers about how their money is being spent and whether the decisions being made will actually deliver the congestion relief that’s been promised,” Ley said in the news release. “This bill is about accountability, transparency and making sure we get the best return on investment.”
The audit would review financial reporting, spending accountability, project forecasting and oversight by the Washington State Department of Transportation, including whether prior audit recommendations were implemented, the news release stated.
The bill follows a Dec. 15 meeting of the Bi-state Legislative Committee, where legislators expected updated cost estimates for the project, but none were presented.
The legislation has been referred to the House Transportation Committee, where it awaits a public hearing.
