They are named after Glenn C. Lee, publisher of the Tri-City Herald,[3] and Sam Volpentest, a prominent local businessman.

[5] The city of Richland, which grew rapidly beginning in the 1940s due to its proximity to the Hanford Site, proposed a bridge over the Columbia River to Pasco several times in the decade following the ferry's shutdown.

[9][10][11] Preliminary work at the bridge site, including soil tests, began in early 1978.

[12] Ground was broken on the I-182 Bridge on July 8, 1981, with construction expected to be finished in late 1984 at a cost of $23.8 million.

[15][16] Work was delayed by approximately 90 days due to the discovery of faulty bridge bearings, which were replaced at a cost of $600,000 (of which $240,000 was paid by the state government).