ODOT Director Matt Garrett and WSDOT Secretary Paula Hammond have released their response (PDF, 160K) to the Columbia River Crossing Independent Review Panel recommendations.

Two particularly notable points:

1) They agree to a phased project (i.e., “Uncle! We understand we can’t get $3.6B all at once.”)

2) They are looking for implementation under a “strong owner” model. No indication of who, or what entity, might be nominated as Czar of the CRC.