Members of the public are invited to attend the first meeting of the Community Task Force for the Earthquake Ready Burnside Bridge project on Wednesday, October 17 from 5:30 – 8 pm at the University of Oregon’s White Box Room at 70 NW Couch St., Portland.
The Earthquake Ready Burnside Bridge project is examining options to create a resilient lifeline crossing over the Willamette River in the event of a major earthquake. The project team recently completed a feasibility study that evaluated more than 100 river crossing options to arrive at a short list to be studied in more detail. Multnomah County’s Board of Commissioners will be asked to adopt the study’s range of alternatives and the project’s purpose and need statement on November 1.
The newly formed Community Task Force will provide input to the project team during the environmental review phase of the project. The task force will review the results of analysis of impacts from four build alternatives and a no-build alternative, before a preferred alternative is chosen in 2020.
The meeting agenda includes a project overview, review of the task force charter, report on recent outreach, and a preview of the environmental review phase. There will also be time for public comment.
Committee members represent residential areas, business districts, and interests including autos, transit users, freight, pedestrians, bicyclists, people with disabilities, bridge history, and social service agencies and other organizations based near the bridge.
There are several transit options near the meeting location, including the TriMet Skidmore Fountain Max Station and buses #12, 19, and 20 Stop ID: 9526, 689. On-street parking is also available.
For more information, visit www.burnsidebridge.org. Meeting materials will be posted to the website following the meeting. Multnomah County maintains the Burnside Bridge and leads the Earthquake Ready Burnside Bridge project.
