Well of course our state leaders have to funnel enough money toward their private sector donors in order to win their next election. With the rising inflation, a 140% is a bargain and that's why we can always trust Democratic politicians to do the right thing. Maybe they'll add even more planned highway tolls so that us residents can experience the privilege of paying for the project twice!

No prob, just tax the rich

The Interstate Bridge Replacement Program, or IBR for short, grew out of the previous proposal known as the Columbia River Crossing, which fell apart in 2013.

Yes, and why was that? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbia_River_Crossing

Of approximately $227 million allocated, the project had spent $175 million by the end of April 2013, much of it on pre-construction testing of subsurface conditions, which may or may not be useful in the future.[20] The project was terminated after the Washington State Senate failed to approve $450 million in funding, with key opponent Ann Rivers of La Center, Washington suggesting alternative measures such as eliminating lane changes and lowering the speed limit on the bridge.[21] One common objection from opponents was the inclusion of light rail.[22]