Share your comments on county plans for an earthquake-ready Burnside Bridge

Multnomah County is seeking public input this month on the range of options that will be evaluated for an earthquake-ready Burnside Bridge crossing. After studying more than 100 crossing options, the project team has proposed that four options advance to the environmental review phase. The team will analyze their impacts and benefits in the next phase, before the county selects a preferred alternative to design and build.

The four proposed options are:

• An enhanced seismic retrofit of the existing bridge
• A replacement bridge with fixed spans (and a taller clearance for river traffic)
• A replacement movable bridge similar to the existing one
• A replacement movable bridge with an extended westbound approach from NE Couch St.

The public can learn more and comment on the range of alternatives, the project’s purpose and need, and topics that will be analyzed during the environmental review in two ways:

• Visit our in-person open house on Tuesday, September 25, 5 – 7 pm, at the Fair-Haired Dumbbell, 11 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
• Visit our online open house through September 30 at https://burnsidebridge.participate.online/.

The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners will vote on the range of alternatives on November 1. The range also needs to be approved by the Federal Highway Administration.

The county’s Earthquake Ready Burnside Bridge project is examining options to create a resilient lifeline crossing over the Willamette River that can be in use after a major earthquake. Providing a way to get across the Willamette River after an earthquake will be critical for emergency response, reuniting families, and helping our community recover. For more information, visit www.burnsidebridge.org.