Multnomah County understands the community has a strong connection to the Stark Street Bridge and that there may be several questions you have throughout this project. Here are some of the common questions the project team is hearing from the community.
Read more about the Stark Street Bridge Replacement project.
Why build a new bridge and keep the old bridge?
The existing bridge, which was built in 1914, is at the end of its service life and does not meet today’s modern transportation needs. During the environmental review phase, certified historians conducted an analysis of the surrounding area to identify any properties, including roads and bridges with historic features. Historians confirmed the bridge is a contributing resource to the Historic Columbia River Highway National Historic Landmark District and that it is eligible to be added to the National Historic Register. Because of this, demolition or retrofitting the bridge would not likely be approved by the Federal Highway Administration if an alternative option was available to meet the project’s purpose and need.
During outreach in spring 2026, many community members expressed interest in preserving the bridge. Based on feedback from the community and key findings from the project’s historic review of the existing bridge, the county is recommending to preserve the existing bridge and build a new, seismically resilient bridge downstream.
By building a new bridge and keeping the current crossing, this option honors the historical significance of the existing bridge and its contribution to the Historic District while balancing future transportation needs.
The new bridge would be wider to meet modern safety and seismic standards and provide access for all modes of travel. The existing bridge would remain open to cyclist and pedestrian traffic, avoiding impact to this historic resource while providing an opportunity to still take in the beauty of the area.
Why can’t a new bridge be built in the same location?
It is possible to build a new bridge in the existing location. However, this would require federal permission to demolish the existing bridge. Due to the bridge’s historic significance, the county is unlikely to get this permission from the Federal Highway Administration.
This also applies to potentially widening the bridge. Significant physical changes to the existing bridge would be required in order to widen the bridge and bring it up to current seismic code.
Why do both bridges have bicycle and pedestrian access?
The existing bridge, which was built in 1914, was not constructed to withstand a major Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake. During the earthquake, the county anticipates the bridge would be damaged beyond repair and no longer be serviceable to the community. Multnomah County is taking proactive steps to ensure the new bridge is seismically resilient so that post earthquake, there is still a crossing that all modes of travel can use.
Why is there a sidewalk only on one side of the new bridge?
In the proposed design, a 10-ft wide bi-directional sidewalk on one side of the new bridge meets the needs of anticipated users while also reducing the overall width of the new bridge. Given the rural connections in the area, one sidewalk will meet safety and capacity needs, similar to what the existing bridge does today. The county has also identified the broader Stark Street corridor as a priority for future investment. The Multnomah County Transportation System Plan, the Roadway Capital Improvement Program and East Multnomah County's Transportation Safety Action Plan, identify studies and capital improvements for Stark Street in the vicinity of this bridge. While this project focuses on the bridge and its immediate approaches, it has been designed to support and complement future corridor-wide safety initiatives. The proposed sidewalk can be readily connected to future facility improvements along the Stark Street corridor. As the project moves into the Design Phase, the county may adjust the sidewalk widths and location based on potential future corridor developments.
Can the new bridge incorporate characteristic elements of the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area?
The current renderings being shared with the community in summer/fall 2026 are conceptual and will be refined during the future design phase. The public will have an opportunity to provide feedback during the design process.
The new bridge will need to be designed to meet the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area aesthetic design guidelines. Those aesthetic guidelines require the built infrastructure to be visually subordinate to the scenery. A simple structure highlights the scenery and does not impact views of the existing historic bridge.
How will you keep drivers off the old bridge once the new bridge is built?
The county will explore the possibility of using bollards to prevent vehicles from entering the old bridge. Details around access and potential parking options will be explored in the design phase.
Will the project stabilize the rock cliff along the Historic Columbia River Highway?
While mitigating rock slides along the Historic Columbia River Highway will not be part of the project, the county will work closely with the Oregon Department of Transportation on monitoring active slides during the construction phase that may impact construction activities or detour routes.
Will trees be removed during construction?
The county anticipates some trees will need to be removed in order to construct the new bridge. Those impacts will become clearer during the design phase.
Can a stop sign be added at the intersection with the new bridge and the Historic Columbia River Highway?
The Oregon Department of Transportation which owns and maintains the Historic Columbia River Highway currently does not allow the installation of devices that would slow traffic (stop signs, rumble strips etc) at this location, however, as this project advances, the county will initiate conversations with the Oregon Department of Transportation to review those regulations.
Will the new bridge impact adjacent businesses?
This project assumes that some right-of-way will need to be purchased in order to build the bridge. This would be true even if a wider structure was built in the alignment of the existing bridge. We anticipate working with any impacted property owners to address future access and business needs, as well as considerations for impact during construction. The process will comply with the Uniform Act.
Will the existing bridge be open during construction of the new bridge?
While detour routes will be designated during construction, the project team anticipates that by preserving the existing bridge, there will be an opportunity to maintain some amount of traffic on the old bridge while the new bridge is constructed. This will be explored further during the design phase.
Should funding for construction be secured, the county will also work in close coordination with school districts on any closure timing and detour routes.
When will construction start?
Currently the county does not have funding for construction. The county anticipates construction would take about two to three years.
How will the project be funded?
The environmental review phase of this project is currently being funded through County Road Funds. The project is not looking at tolling or tax increases to build a new bridge. Multnomah County typically funds larger road and bridge projects through a mix of local, regional, state and federal transportation funds. Multnomah County is currently seeking federal funding for final design and construction which would require the county to contribute a local match.