Interstate Bridge Replacement Program Administrator

The original close date for this job posting may be extended to ensure we establish a competitive applicant pool.

The Interstate Bridge Replacement (I ) Program is one of the most significant infrastructure investments in the country. This bi-state mega program will transform five miles of the I-5 corridor between Washington and Oregon. As the only continuous north-south freeway on the West Coast connecting Canada to Mexico, this crossing carries more than $71 million in freight every day and serves as a critical link for regional and national commerce.

The program will replace the aging bridge, reconfigure seven interchanges, extend light rail across the Columbia River, and enhance active transportation, transforming mobility for generations.

The Washington and Oregon Departments of Transportation (WSDOT and ODOT) are seeking a strategic executive leader with strong political acumen, financial discipline, and the ability to build durable partnerships across jurisdictions to lead the Interstate Bridge Replacement (I ) Program. The I  Program Administrator serves as the primary executive for one of the nation’s most complex bi-state transportation megaprograms, providing strategic direction and full operational oversight.

Accountable to both WSDOT and ODOT leadership, this role guides a $6+ billion investment through planning, policy development, funding strategy, risk management, and eventual construction to ensure delivery with transparency, fiscal stewardship, and alignment with federal, state, and bi-state requirements. The Program Administrator leads multidisciplinary teams, oversees significant public funds and consultant contracts, shapes legislative and policy strategy, and serves as the program’s primary ambassador to elected officials, community leaders, industry partners, and the public.

Guided by a rare bi-state governance structure that includes both Governors, state legislatures, transportation agency leaders, cities, transit agencies, ports, and metropolitan planning organizations, I  stands at the intersection of infrastructure delivery, public policy, and economic vitality. Far more than a bridge project - I  is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape how two states connect, move, and grow.

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Program Administrator will:

• Provide executive leadership and strategic direction for the bi-state I  Program, defining objectives and ensuring delivery aligned with scope, schedule, budget, statutory requirements, and mega program best practices.
• Direct comprehensive program management, including transportation planning, budgeting, fiscal oversight, project controls, performance monitoring, and strategic resource allocation across multidisciplinary and multi-agency teams.
• Lead bi-state governance and policy coordination, identifying regulatory or policy barriers, advancing legislative and Transportation Commission engagement, and overseeing development and implementation of I  policies and procedures.
• Guide complex decision-making and problem-solving across legal, environmental, engineering, financial, social, and political domains to maintain program momentum and public trust.
• Serve as the primary representative and spokesperson for the program, building durable partnerships with elected officials, tribal governments, community organizations, industry leaders, and the media.
• Oversee consultant, contract, and risk management functions, including large-scale professional services and construction-related agreements, mitigation strategies, and coordination with legal counsel.
• Ensure effective coordination of personnel, systems, and processes across…