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.
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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
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