Despite significant uncertainty at the federal level — affecting infrastructure projects across the country — Multnomah County will continue to push ahead with its Earthquake Ready Burnside Bridge Project. Design and other engineering work remains ongoing, and the County is committed to building a bridge that can withstand a major earthquake.
But to better navigate this uncertain time, Multnomah County has decided to extend the project’s Design Phase, delaying the start of construction by one year to 2028. This extension will also give the team an opportunity to further refine the design and identify potential cost-savings.
“The County remains committed to resilience projects like the Earthquake Ready Burnside Bridge Project, which are critical for our region,” Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson said. “This seismically resilient bridge will not only provide much needed infrastructure, it will be an immediately usable lifeline route for emergency responders in the wake of a major earthquake, increase multi-modal transit options and help us meet climate goals for the long term.”
The Earthquake Ready Burnside Bridge Project is Multnomah County’s highest priority transportation project. The County has been working on this project for eight years. Major infrastructure projects take many years to complete across administrations and changes in leadership. With projects of this size, it is common for the project timeline to extend. The County is prepared for this.
“Thanks to the partnership and generosity of our state lawmakers, local partners and the leadership of our Board, the County has been able to generate enough funds to continue design and weather hard times,” Multnomah County Department of Community Services Director Margi Bradway said. “Our team has decades of combined experience managing large projects, including two major bridge projects. We’re taking another look at ways to be smart with our resources that will help us build the new Burnside Bridge. Partnership is the best way to get major projects like this one done and together we will continue working on this once-in-a-generation project.”
The County has secured more local funding than any other project in the region, which allows the project to continue through the Design Phase. Architects, engineers, planners, lighting specialists, contractors and agency partners will be working to finalize the new bridge design over the next few years.
“We will be taking more time to explore ways to bring the overall cost of the project down and look at ways to construct the new bridge in the most efficient and cost conscious way possible,” Transportation Division Director Jon Henrichsen said.
The County is grateful for the partnerships that have helped the project to get this far. The County will continue to work with its partners and keep the community informed as the County learns more.
Background: The Earthquake Ready Burnside Bridge Project is critical for our region. Right now, none of downtown Portland’s Willamette River vehicular bridges will be immediately usable after a major earthquake. This project is more than a bridge - it is about saving lives. Multnomah County is leading an effort to replace the current Burnside Bridge with one that can withstand a major Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake. The County is also dedicated to ensuring the community has an efficient, sustainable and multimodal Willamette River crossing. It’s currently one of the largest earthquake resilience projects in Oregon.
For more information on the project, visit: https://www.multco.us/earthquake-ready-burnside-bridge.