It was a lopsided vote...45-11.  Speaker Tina Kotek reading the result; "House Bill 2800A, having received the constitutional majority, is declared passed."

The bill lays out how Oregon will pay its 450-million dollar share of the 3-billion dollar project to build a new I-5 bridge.

It also requires the project meet Coast Guard height approval...sets up tolling on the new bridge...and possibly on the I-205 bridge.

Representative Tobias Read saying "this project and this bridge has the potential to play a really significant role in the economic revival of our state and our regions."

Portland Representative Lew Frederick doesn't like the project.  "I have yet to see a plan that really addresses the potential of this project to increase rather than mitigate congestion near the Rose Quarter."

Representative Read won the day with what he calls triggers to protect Oregon taxpayers.  "Our friends in Washington (state) must authorize a matching financial contribution.  The Coast Guard must issue a bridge permit.  The state treasurer must approve investment grade analysis and finance plan and the federal government must commit to a full funding grant agreement."

The bill goes next to the state senate.