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About The Southwest Portland Post. (Portland, Oregon) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 2008)
EDITORIAL 2 • The Southwest Portland Post November 2008 Sellwood Bridge Project moves forward with new set of possibilities LOCAL POLITICS By Lee Perlman The Southwest Portland Post The Sellwood Bridge Project, consid- ering the rehabilitation or replacement of the aging structure, began moving toward a decision point last month with a new set of possibilities. At a joint meeting of the project’s Citizen Task Force and Project Advisory Group (made up of representatives of affected agencies and jurisdictions) October 27, consultants presented the pros and cons of fi ve proposals under consideration. These include two alternative pro- posals to rehabilitate the existing 1926 bridge, and three to build a new bridge at approximately the same location. A sixth alternative is “No Build.” This, as consultant Steve Katko of CH2M Hill said, is not the same as “do nothing.” “No Build” would involve basic repairs that would allow the bridge to continue to be used for the next 20 years. It would not address structural and seismic issues that currently pre- vent the bridge from being used by cars and trucks. The cost would be $54 million. Katko also presented a series of sce- narios for four of the alternatives to be built in phases. The cost of doing the fi rst phase would range from $81 mil- lion for Alternative A to $110 million for Alternative D. D is the only option in which fi rst phase work would not involve some temporary closure of the bridge. In each case, the fi rst phase would strengthen the bridge to the point where it could carry bus- es, most trucks and emer- gency vehicles. In each case, building in phases would add to the length and ultimate cost of the completed project. In discussions among those present, there was some senti- ment for the phased approach. One member commented, “People are try- ing to get someplace and do it safely. We should do something sooner rather than later.” Multnomah County Commission chair Ted Wheeler commented, “It’s pretty obvious that we have to be pragmatic, that we can’t have all of our objectives. Safety comes fi rst.” He noted that much of the budget was devoted to creating a better approach and inter- change on the west side and said, “If I have limited bullets, the bridge is where I’d like to aim them.” Barbara Barber, a task force citizen representative, said, “I got involved to build a safe, modest bridge that would move traffi c, but have some sensitivity to the fact that it goes through a neigh- borhood. I’m completely pro-transit, and I know the funding comes from different pots of money, but somehow money was procured for a light rail line to Milwaukie.” “Here we’re nickel-and-diming it to replace a bridge that may fall into the water,” said Barber. “If you give people a choice and you put something bright and shiny next to something icky and old, bright and shiny will win every time.” The Environmental Impact Statement on the project, and other information, will be available as of November 7. At that point the County will begin taking public comments on the project. Editor’s Note: Multnomah County has scheduled a series of one-hour briefi ngs to bring the public up to speed about the Sellwood Bridge options. There will be two such sessions November 10 at the County Commission Building, 501 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd., and November 13 at the Oaks Park Dance Pavilion, 7100 S.E. Oaks Park Way. On both days the sessions will begin at 6:00 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. When you choose to spend your dollars with locally owned, independent businesses: • Up to 3 times more money re-circulates in our local economy. • More local jobs are maintained and created. • The character of our neighborhoods is enhanced and preserved. • You are making a REAL difference in the quality of life of our community. Residential & Intermediate Alzheimer’s Care Its about what we can do, not what we can’t. (503) 292-7874 7825 SW 36th Ave Suite #203 Portland, OR 97219 Phone: (503) 244-6933; Fax: (866) 727-5336 general email: news@multnomahpost.com web address: www.multnomahpost.com Editor & Publisher: Don Snedecor Reporters/Writers: Kate Bennett, Polina Olsen, Lee Perlman, Don Snedecor Retail Advertising Manager: Harry Blythe Graphic Design: Leslie Baird Design Printing: Oregon Lithoprint © 2008 by The Southwest Portland Post. All rights reserved. The opinions of the artists and authors contained herein are not necessarily shared by the publisher. Deadline for news and advertising is generally the 15th of the month prior to publication. Please call for current deadline information. Advertising rates are available upon request. The Post has a circulation of 10,000 in Multnomah Village and the surrounding neighborhood business districts including Burlingame, Capitol Hill, Garden Home, Glen Cullen, Hillsdale, South Portland, Raleigh Hills, West Portland and Vermont Hills. The Post is published on or about the 1st of every month. Subscriptions are $24 per year. Back issues are $2.50 each when available. All major credit cards accepted. The Post is printed on recycled newsprint using soy-based inks. 6630 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy. Portland, Oregon 97225 www.marquiscompanies.com www.sbnportland.org November Special $14 $24 $34 7825 SW 36th Ave #203, Portland 97219
