On the evening of March 7, 2025, Brian and I embarked on a journey that many in the Pacific Northwest know all too well—braving the notorious traffic of the Interstate 5 bridge.
Our destination was the Let Kids Learn Gala in Hillsboro, Oregon, an event that promised not only a celebration of educational advocacy but also an opportunity to engage with notable figures on issues close to home.
The I-5 bridge, a critical yet aging link between Washington and Oregon, has long been a symbol of both connectivity and frustration for residents of the region.
Last night, it served as the first challenge in our quest to attend the gala, where I would later find myself in a fascinating conversation with Rachel Campos-Duffy, a television personality and the wife of Sean Duffy, the newly appointed U.S. Secretary of Transportation.
The drive from Southwest Washington to Hillsboro is not for the faint of heart, particularly when it involves crossing the I-5 bridge. Officially known as the Interstate Bridge, this structure spans the Columbia River, connecting Vancouver, Washington, to Portland, Oregon.
Built in 1917, with a second span added in 1958, the bridge is a marvel of early 20th-century engineering but a headache for 21st-century commuters. Its narrow lanes, low clearance, and frequent lift spans for river traffic create bottlenecks that can stretch for miles.
On this particular evening, Brian and I joined the slow crawl of vehicles inching southward, the Portland skyline teasing us from the distance as brake lights glowed red ahead. For those of us in Southwest Washington, this is more than an inconvenience—it’s a daily reality that shapes how we live, work, and plan our lives.
After navigating the bridge and the subsequent trek through Portland’s urban sprawl, we arrived in Hillsboro, a city just west of Portland known for its tech industry and growing community.
The Let Kids Learn Gala, hosted at a local venue, drew a crowd passionate about education reform, parental rights, and community empowerment. The atmosphere buzzed with energy as attendees mingled, their conversations a blend of optimism and urgency about the future of education.
It was here that I had the chance to meet Rachel Campos-Duffy, a familiar face from her years on Fox News and a vocal advocate for family-centric policies. Her presence at the gala was no surprise, given her public persona, but what made the encounter memorable was her connection to an issue that hits close to home: transportation.
Rachel’s husband, Sean Duffy, assumed the role of U.S. Secretary of Transportation in January 2025, following his appointment by President Donald Trump after the latter’s re-election.
A former congressman from Wisconsin and a recognizable figure from his own television days, Sean Duffy now oversees the nation’s transportation infrastructure at a time when projects like the I-5 bridge replacement are gaining national attention. As Rachel and I spoke, the topic naturally turned to this very issue.
She listened intently as I described the daily struggles of my neighbors in Southwest Washington—commuters who rely on the bridge to reach jobs in Portland, families whose schedules are dictated by traffic patterns, and small businesses affected by delays in goods and services. The I-5 bridge isn’t just a roadway; it’s a lifeline that, in its current state, often feels more like a chokehold.
The replacement of the I-5 bridge has been a topic of discussion for decades, but in recent years, it has taken on new urgency. The structure carries over 130,000 vehicles daily, far exceeding its original design capacity. Its vulnerability to earthquakes—a significant concern in the seismically active Pacific Northwest—adds another layer of complexity.
In 2023, the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program, a joint effort between Washington and Oregon, gained momentum with federal funding and bipartisan support.
The proposed plan includes a new, modern bridge with wider lanes, improved seismic resilience, and, controversially, the addition of light rail transit. This last point has sparked heated debate, particularly among Washington residents who question the cost and necessity of extending Portland’s MAX light rail system into Vancouver.
I shared these concerns with Rachel, explaining how the light rail proposal divides my community. For some, it promises a sustainable alternative to car-centric commuting, potentially easing congestion and reducing carbon emissions.
For others, it’s a boondoggle—an expensive imposition by Oregon interests that may not serve Washington’s needs. Rachel nodded thoughtfully, her perspective shaped by her husband’s new role and their own experiences raising a large family.
She spoke about the importance of infrastructure that supports families, not just in terms of convenience but also safety and economic opportunity. It was clear she understood the stakes, even if the specifics of the I-5 project were still unfolding under Sean Duffy’s nascent tenure.
Our conversation broadened to the broader implications of transportation policy. The I-5 corridor, stretching from Canada to Mexico, is a vital artery for trade and travel, yet its bottlenecks—like the one at the Columbia River—ripple outward, affecting supply chains and regional economies.
In Southwest Washington, where many residents work in Portland but live across the state line to avoid Oregon’s income tax, the bridge’s inefficiencies exacerbate an already complex balance.
Rachel asked about the tolling proposals tied to the bridge replacement, a contentious issue that could add financial strain to commuters. I admitted it’s a trade-off few are eager to accept, especially in an era of rising costs. Yet, doing nothing isn’t an option either—the bridge’s days are numbered, and the clock is ticking.
As the gala wound down, Brian and I prepared for the return trip, knowing we’d face the I-5 bridge once more. The journey home was quieter, the traffic mercifully lighter under the cover of night.
Reflecting on the evening, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of hope and frustration. Meeting Rachel Campos-Duffy had humanized a national issue, bridging the gap between policy debates in Washington, D.C., and the lived experiences of my neighbors.
Her husband’s role as Secretary of Transportation places him at the helm of decisions that could shape our region for decades, and I wondered how his priorities would align with our needs.
The Let Kids Learn Gala was about more than education—it was a reminder of how interconnected our challenges are. Transportation, like education, is a foundation for opportunity, and in Southwest Washington, both feel at a crossroads.
The I-5 bridge replacement, with its promise of progress and its pitfalls of contention, looms large over our future. As Brian and I crossed back into Washington, the river beneath us shimmering in the dark, I thought about the families who call this region home.
We deserve a solution that works—not just for today, but for the kids who’ll inherit what we build. Whether Sean Duffy and his team can deliver that remains to be seen, but for one night in Hillsboro, the conversation felt like a step in the right direction.
