A citizen advisory committee and a committee of project partner agencies have recommended a deck arch bridge to replace the current Sellwood Bridge. The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners will review the committees’ recommendations and choose a bridge type at a public meeting on Thursday, Jan. 27 in the boardroom of the Multnomah Building at 501 SE Hawthorne Blvd.
The board will also vote on other bridge design decisions at the meeting, including a compressed west side interchange connecting the bridge to Highway 43, an open bottom concrete arch culvert connecting a new access road to Stephens Creek on the west side and stormwater treatment facilities for both sides of the river.
The compression of the west side interchange and other changes to the design have reduced the estimated project to $290 million, down $41 million from the original projection of $331 million. Bridge construction is slated to begin in 2012.
The preferred alternative to the current bridge includes two lanes for traffic, two sidewalks and two shoulders/bike lanes. Officials plan to keep the current bridge open during construction of its replacement.
For more information, visit www.sellwoodbridge.org. Multnomah County maintains the Sellwood Bridge and leads the project to replace it.