The clean out and inspection work in the arch chambers of the bridge is complete. These chambers are located where the arches intersect with the bridge piers and they had not been opened since the bridge was built.
Barges served as the work platforms for this phase of the project and they carried away the debris from inside the chambers for proper disposal. The barges have left and will return in November to start the preparation for the major work which will begin mid-January.
Bicycle/Pedestrian Shuttle: A task force has been meeting to finalize the specifications for the bicycle pedestrian shuttle bus service.
The task force consists of representatives from the cities of West Linn and Oregon City, Clackamas County, Downtown Oregon City, the Bicycle Transportation Alliance, ODOT’s Bicycle/Pedestrian Coordinator and ODOT Community Affairs staff. The group met in 2009 to develop recommendations for how to accommodate bicyclists and pedestrians during the bridge closure. Now this task force has refined their recommendations for the shuttle’s time schedule, stop locations, amenities and publicity. We expect the request for proposals to go out, in late October, for a contractor to provide the shuttle bus service. Service details will be publicized in December.
ODOT staff gave project updates to the Oregon City Commission and the Oregon City Citizen Involvement Council. In addition, staff shared information at the First Night Art Walk in Oregon City. An update for the West Linn City Council is being scheduled.
Traffic impacts: There may be intermittent single lane closures this fall. The bridge will not close to all traffic until mid-January 2011. It will remain closed for two years while the contractor Wildish Standard Paving of Eugene replaces and repairs the deck, joints, rails, lighting and protective coating on this famous arch span.
Please contact me, if:
• You have any questions about the project.
• You are interested in hosting a presentation by ODOT staff at your neighborhood or business group meeting.
• You or others would like to be added to the email list to receive these updates.
Susan Hanson
Community Affairs Coordinator
Oregon Department of Transportation - Region 1
123 NW Flanders | Portland, OR | 97209
503-731-3490 (desk) | 503-706-9814 (cell) | 503-731-3266 (fax)
Susan.C.Hanson@odot.state.or.us
Visit the ODOT Region 1 Web site: http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/REGION1/