Multnomah County is pleased to announce it has selected Burnside Bridge Partners, Joint Venture, as its construction contractor to build the Earthquake Ready Burnside Bridge.
Burnside Bridge Partners is a joint venture between three notable transportation and bridge construction firms. This includes Stacy and Witbeck, the employee-owned firm that built Portland’s streetcar system and multiple light rail lines, Traylor Bros,which has constructed more than 135 major bridges and American Bridge, which fabricated the original Burnside Bridge and built the Astoria Bridge over the Columbia River in its more than 120-year history.
“The County is excited to welcome the final members of the team that will be delivering the Earthquake Ready Burnside Bridge Project,” said Emily Miletich, Multnomah County Construction Project Manager. “Not only do the Burnside Bridge Partners offer technical expertise and experience in local project delivery and complex bridge construction, but they also share the County’s values of equity, inclusion and dedication to the development of a diverse workforce. We are looking forward to working collaboratively with this team to bring the community a new bridge and a lifeline they can count on.”
The Earthquake Ready Burnside Bridge Project, led by the County’s Transportation Division, conducted a competitive, qualifications-based process and on Oct. 6, selected Burnside Bridge Partners.
Burnside Bridge Partners brings extensive experience with collaborative project delivery, construction of technically challenging and signature bridges and has demonstrated a dedication to diversity and equity in both subcontracting and workforce development on previous projects.
The Earthquake Ready Burnside Bridge Project is a multi-year effort to replace the nearly 100-year-old crossing over the Willamette River with a bridge that will withstand a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake.
“An Earthquake Ready Burnside Bridge will literally be the lifeline this region relies on in the event of a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake. The building of it is also a huge economic driver for our County, which is why I’m so pleased our construction contractor Burnside Bridge Partners have the expertise to help Multnomah County build collaboratively, sustainably and equitably,” said Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson. “Welcome to the team, and let’s get to work!”
Multnomah County expects Burnside Bridge Partners to officially begin work in December as part of the Design Phase.
Multnomah County is using the Construction Manager General Contractor (CM/GC) delivery method for this project in order to get early input and collaboration from the contractor. This is a construction management approach where the general contractor is hired during the Design Phase. This provides the engineering team the opportunity to work closely with the contractor to ensure a more efficient construction process.
Construction of the bridge could start in early 2026, pending full funding of the project. If funding goals are met, a new Burnside Bridge could open as early as 2031.