8 • The Southwest Portland Post
FEATURES
November 2014
Closed during construction, Iowa Street trail scheduled to reopen Nov. 1
In addition, the state has repaired
the Newbury Street and Vermont
Street bridges on Southwest Barbur
Boulevard, said Susan Hanson, an
By Janet Goetze
ODOT community affairs coordinator.
The Southwest Portland Post
Work on those spans was slower than
expected and delayed the reopening
After a four-year wait, hikers may
of the Iowa Street trail, originally
return to the Iowa Street section of
expected in early October, she said.
Southwest Trails, east of George
The section of trail under the freeway
Himes Park, according to an Oregon
was closed for safety reasons while
Department of Transportation
construction continued overhead,
spokeswoman.
Hanson said. The trail was rebuilt on
The 500 feet of trail was scheduled
ODOT right-of-way to trail standards
to be open by Nov. 1 along with new
of the City of Portland, which will
Iowa Street viaducts that replace
maintain it, she said.
deteriorating 55-year-old spans at
Twenty-eight people, led by Don
milepost 298, north of the Terwilliger
Baack, president of SW Trails PDX,
curves on Interstate 5.
took a 4-mile hike on Oct. 11 that
included the new steps and
surface of the Iowa Street trail.
The hikers went ahead with the
previously scheduled inaugural
trek on a Saturday, when safety
problems didn’t arise, Hanson
said.
“We value the partnership
we have had with SW Trails
on the design,” Hanson said at
a ceremony near Wilson High
School before the hike began.
After the hike, Baack, who
has been working on trails for
two decades, praised the new
section. “I think it’s really nicely
done,” he said.
The rebuilt trail includes a
spur leading to a view area
where hikers may pause to gaze
at Mount Hood and portions of
the city on clear days. Baack said
SW Trails PDX president Don Baack (center) SW Trails hopes to pay for and
will receive the Sandy Diedrich Environmental maintain a bench for those who
Stewardship Award at the Spirit of Portland want to rest at the viewpoint.
Awards ceremony on Nov. 6. in the atrium
Those who want to take a short
at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center, 501 N.
walk on the new section can
Graham St. Baack has spent the better part of two
decades building a trails network for Southwest reach it from Southwest Iowa
Portland. The awards, started 30 years ago, Street off View Point Terrace,
recognize individuals and organizations who following signs toward George
have made positive changes in the community. Himes Natural Area.
Visit www.portlandoregon.gov/oni/29024 for more
The October hike was a return
information. (Post photo by Janet Goetz)
trip for some members of SW
SOUTHWEST TRAILS
Imagine The Difference You Can Make
DONATE YOUR CAR
1-800-940-0629
FREE TOWING
TAX DEDUCTIBLE
Help Prevent Blindness
Get A Vision Screening Annually
Ask About A FREE 3 Day
Vacation Voucher To Over
20 Destinations!!!
Trails, a community membership
group promoting wellness and
supporting walking and biking
in Southwest Portland and
surrounding areas.
In 1996, volunteers resurfaced
the trail with a bucket
brigade, according to a post
on the organization’s website,
www.swtrails.org. The group
obtained three dozen buckets
and distributed them at several
gravel piles near signs that
encouraged hikers to voluntarily
carry loads to cover the trail.
Above the trail segment, the
work on the freeway viaducts
meets current roadway and
seismic standards, Hanson said.
It also provides wider shoulders,
wider center medians, three
travel lanes in each direction
and a new retaining wall, with
a design developed after 400 Robin Vesey, Friends of Terwilliger president,
Southwest residents responded points out the new Iowa Street trail, rebuilt by
the state, passing under Interstate 5 and Barbur
to a survey.
Boulevard viaducts. Grass is growing beside the
On Barbur Boulevard, the trail and plants are being added. (Post photo by
Newbury Street and Vermont Janet Goetze)
Street bridges, built across two
ravines in 1934, were deteriorating
The construction areas, including
from water seeping into joints, rusting
slopes beside the trail, have been
steel rebar inside the decks and
seeded with grass, and trees and
causing other damage, Hanson said.
shrubs are being planted. ODOT also
ODOT repaired the concrete deck
removed invasive ivy and blackberry
of both spans at the bridge joints,
brambles.
improved drainage, improved ramps
“We are pleased to see that native
leading to the walkways, installed a
plants have been coming back in areas
taller safety railing, replaced signs
where we removed noxious weeds,”
and paved both bridges, she said.
Hanson said.
Parker Realty, Inc.
Garden Home
– Single Level Ranch
$249,500
Great close in Garden Home
location professionally
remodeled one level ranch.
Top of the line bathroom.
Large kitchen and living
room with fireplace. Detached double garage with attached bonus
room/shop with its own door. Two bedrooms, one bathroom, 1044
Jeff Parker
square feet. Perfect starter home or investment property.
Your Neighborhood
Realtor Since 1980
The inventory of houses for sale in the Portland Metro area
remains at historic lows. High demand for homes in our area
coupled with low interest rates and lack of homes for sale
translates to higher prices! If you are thinking of selling contact
us today for a free market analysis.
503-977-1888 • 7830 SW 35th Ave., Portland, OR
www.parkerrealtypdx.com