A truck is seen in the water Thursday after a portion of the Interstate 5 bridge collapsed into the Skagit River in Mount Vernon. Photo

Authorities say there were no fatalities when the Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River near Mount Vernon collapsed Thursday evening, dumping vehicles and people into the water below.

The failure of a bridge with a similar design to the Interstate 5 Bridge over the Columbia River brought new attention to the issue of bridge safety as the Washington Legislature considers committing $450 million toward the Columbia River Crossing project.

“I presume its going to intensify the debate over the safety of the bridges. That’s been one of the principal issues with the bridges to begin with,” said Rep. Jim Moeller, D-Vancouver.

Moeller, who learned about the collapse when contacted by The Columbian for comment, said he hoped no one was hurt or killed in the collapse.

“I think it raises the question over the whole aspect of bridge safety — not only with this bridge, but also with the infrastructures of this state,” he said.