Oregon Governor's Top Adviser Pushes for $3.4B Bridge Project

Patricia McCaig, a political insider with a reputation for aggressive advocacy, has been the driving force behind the Columbia River Crossing.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 6:03am

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This story examines the role of Patricia McCaig, a longtime political insider in Oregon, in pushing forward the $3.4 billion Columbia River Crossing project. McCaig, who has been a top adviser to Governor John Kitzhaber on the CRC, has used her political connections and strategic communications skills to revive the project after it faced significant opposition and setbacks. The article explores how McCaig, who is paid by a private contractor profiting from the CRC, has worked to overcome concerns about the project's financing, design flaws, and lack of transparency.

Why it matters

The CRC is the largest public works project in Oregon history, and McCaig's involvement raises questions about the influence of private interests and lack of transparency in the political process. Her aggressive advocacy tactics and close ties to the governor have allowed the CRC to move forward despite growing concerns from lawmakers and the public.

The details

McCaig, a longtime political operative who has worked for several Oregon governors, was brought in to revive the CRC project in 2011 when it was facing significant opposition and setbacks. She organized a new political campaign for Governor Kitzhaber to champion the project, and has used her connections and strategic communications skills to lobby lawmakers, deflect criticism, and portray the CRC in a more favorable light. This includes spinning negative news, like the revelation that the bridge was designed too low for some ship traffic, and pushing for a 'bargain-basement' version of the project that maintains the overall $3.4 billion price tag. McCaig has been paid $417,000 by the CRC's largest contractor, raising conflict of interest concerns.

  • In 2002, with Kitzhaber backing the idea, Washington and Oregon sketched out a plan for a new bridge with light rail.
  • In March 2004, former Oregon Governor Neil Goldschmidt and political insider Tom Imeson urged then-Governor Ted Kulongoski to put the CRC at the top of his transportation agenda.
  • By 2009, the CRC was in trouble, with local governments bickering over the number of lanes and criticism growing over the lack of funding.
  • In 2011, Patricia McCaig was brought in to revive the CRC project, which she has been working on since then.
  • In July 2011, Oregon Treasurer Ted Wheeler issued a report that found a $600 million hole in the CRC's toll financing plan.

The players

John Kitzhaber

The current Governor of Oregon who has made the CRC a top priority of his administration and appointed Patricia McCaig as his top adviser on the project.

Patricia McCaig

A longtime political insider in Oregon who has been the driving force behind the CRC project, working as a top adviser to Governor Kitzhaber while being paid by the CRC's largest contractor.

Neil Goldschmidt

A former Oregon Governor who was working for two major contractors, Bechtel Corporation and Parsons Brinckerhoff, and pushed for the CRC project in the early 2000s.

Tom Imeson

A longtime political insider who had been Goldschmidt's chief of staff and later worked at the Port of Portland, where he insisted the CRC get new leadership in the form of Patricia McCaig.

Bill Wyatt

The director of the heavily pro-CRC Port of Portland, who says McCaig's involvement has been the 'difference' in the project's success.

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What they’re saying

“Five years ago, the idea that Oregon would be the likeliest state to first appropriate its share of the local match was almost laughable. Patricia's engagement has been the difference.”

— Bill Wyatt, Director, Port of Portland

“If I were working a major political campaign in Oregon, I would absolutely want Patricia on my campaign. Period.”

— Tim Hibbitts, Longtime Oregon pollster

“Patricia McCaig is not an ingratiating type.”

— Tim Hibbitts, Longtime Oregon pollster

“She goes and gets the facts and brings them to you.”

— Cliff Bentz, Oregon State Representative

“Patricia is getting people into rooms to lobby legislators. Every time we meet with them, we know Patricia's got 15 lobbyists meeting with them.”

— Evan Manvel, Former lobbyist, Coalition for a Livable Future

What’s next

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The takeaway

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