8 • The Southwest Portland Post NEWS August 2012 Multnomah County still faces $10 million Sellwood Bridge funding shortfall – some even suggested that designers do away with non-auto facilities on the north side entirely – but there was also opposition. The opposition was stronger at a meeting the following week of the public stakeholders committee, made up of representatives of participating jurisdictions. Cannon told the County Commission that every month of delay increases the project’s costs by $1 million and said, “By the time we got this resolved, we would have eaten up the cost savings.” Roger Averbeck and Andrew Holst (Continued on Page 5) By Lee Perlman The Southwest Portland Post Multnomah County and its advisory groups spent much of last month seek- ing ways to bridge a $10 million gap in funding for a new Sellwood Bridge. At press time they were still $2.3 million short as both citizens and politicians found one cost-cutting idea unaccept- able. As project manager Ian Cannon ex- plained to the project’s Citizen Adviso- ry Committee, and later the Multnomah County Commission, they have run into some unanticipated expenses. Chief among these is the discovery that the hillside west of Highway 43 (Macadam Avenue), which they are cutting into to make way for a recon- figured roadway, is less stable than previously thought, and there will need to be a retaining wall to prevent future landslides. Other factors are higher than antici- pated subcontractor bids, higher mate- rial prices, greater soil contamination beneath the old highway, and “design complexities” in the river bottom where piles are being driven. All of this has pushed the cost of the project up to just under $300 million, $10 million more than there are funds Detour bridge river work being done using a tugboat last month. (Photo courtesy of Mike Pullen, Multnomah County) available, Cannon said. He noted that at times the project cost had been as high as $330 million, and was reduced by a variety of means. At press time, the project team recom- mended using reinforced concrete in- stead of steel for the bridge’s five main pier columns; Cannon said this would involve no loss of safety for the bridge. Project team members also propose to use one, rather than two, right turn lanes from northbound Highway 43 to the bridge, and to eliminate an under- bridge bike ramp. Another proposal was to take an “asymmetrical” approach to the bridge’s bicycle and pedestrian facili- ties. Instead of having space for pedestri- ans and bicyclists to pass each other on both sides of the bridge, the designers would narrow the lane on the north side to allow for a single bike lane. This was presented to the project’s Citizen Advisory Committee in early July. Some members accepted the idea Parker Realty, Inc. Multnomah Village - $369,500 Multnomah Village Storybook 1929 English cottage. 4 BR, 2.5 BA approx. 1800 sq. ft. carefully remodeled with style & quality. New kitchen with cherry cabinets, slab granite countertops, stainless steel appliances Jeff Parker and pantry/mudroom. Large dining room and living room with Your Neighborhood fireplace & hardwood floors. Beautiful landscaping, large Realtor Since 1980 fenced flat backyard with outdoor fireplace. MLS 12161413 The inventory of houses for sale in the Portland Metro area remains at historic lows. If you are thinking of selling contact us today for a free market analysis. 503-977-1888•7830SW35thAve.,Portland,OR www.parkerrealtyportland.com It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3, 4 1. Visit our website at www.SWPortlandPost.com. 2. Read the latest edition of The Post online + our current ratecard. 3. Call Don or Harry at 503-244-6933 to advertise. 4. See your ad online and in print! P.S. Deadline for September is August 20. Westover Heights Clinic welcomes internist Marcia Kerensky, MD (formerly Marcia Coodley). She joins the team at Westover Heights Clinic from the Fanno Creek Clinic. Dr. Kerensky specializes in general adult medicine. To make an appointment with Dr. Kerensky please call our office at: 503-226-6678 2330 NW Flanders Street, Suite 207 - Portland www.westoverheights.com www.facebook.com/westoverheights