VANCOUVER, Wash. — The Interstate Bridge Replacement Program is losing its longtime leader, just as the project heads into a critical period leading up to the planned start of construction next year.

IBR Program Administrator Greg Johnson confirmed in a statement that he will depart at the end of the year, calling it a "purely personal" decision and adding that he has "the utmost confidence that getting shovels in the ground is just around the corner."

The project still needs to finish its federal environmental review and get U.S. Coast Guard approval before shovels can hit the dirt. There's also an updated cost estimate due by the end of this year, which could upend things if it comes in substantially higher than the previous estimate of $6 billion.

Carley Francis, the southwest regi

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