The rusting bridge that crosses the Columbia River connects Portland and Vancouver via Interstate 5.

The Port of Vancouver USA lost a possible auto agreement last year due to infrastructure needs.

The Port of Vancouver’s path to sustainable growth will be built on investing heavily in rail improvements, paying attention to India’s economy and persuading voters to support new taxes for freight-mobility projects, according to trade experts who spoke during the Northwest Intermodal Conference in Portland this week.

Michael Pasha, general manager of port development for The Pasha Group, a California-based logistics firm, also said completion of the Columbia River bridge-replacement project would make the Port of Vancouver – and the region – more attractive to companies, including his own.

From the Columbian, May 14, 2010