8 • The Southwest Portland Post NEWS June 2016 Regional trail scheduled to open soon between the bridge and Willamette Park stormwater control, and trail work are also on the “to-do” list until at least November of this year. Delays may occur, at any time, but By Erik Vidstrand bridge personnel are trying to alleviate The Southwest Portland Post wait times, according to Mike Pullen, Multnomah County spokesman. Although the new Sellwood Bridge “There were traffic jams before our opened last February 29 to traffic, project, during our project, and there pedestrians and bicyclists, work will likely be traffic jams after we are continues to take place on and around done,” Pullen explained. “The signals the new structure. on Tacoma Street are part of the issue Dismantling the old bridge, aligning that the new bridge will not change.” the interchanges, and paving an Pullen gave The Post some project underpass for those traveling between developments for the west side. The Lake Oswego and Portland are but a northbound through lane of Macadam few of the projects left. Landscaping, Avenue opened on the lower level of the interchange. Both lanes eliminate the need for through traffic to pass the traffic signal on the upper level. In mid-June, a regional trail opens between the bridge and Willamette Park. The contractor has built columns for the bridge that will carry bicyclists and pedestrians on the regional trail under the main Spokane Street Ferry: The ferry John F. Caples carried folks across bridge to reach its the Willamette River between West Portland and Sellwood from south sidewalk. 1903 until the Sellwood Bridge was built in 1925. Electricians (Photo courtesy of Oregon Historical Society) are installing SELLWOOD BRIDGE traffic signal poles and equipment on the west end of the bridge. The outside girders are being stained to match the brown-orange of the steel arches. Now that northbound through traffic is no longer using the on- ramp to the bridge, the contractor is widening the ramp’s sidewalk. On the ramp from the bridge to northbound M a c a d a m Av e n u e , crews are excavating and grading. The ramp’s sidewalk will be widened in the next several weeks. Crews are also building a parapet and the west half of the sidewalk on the southeast ramp leading to Macadam Avenue north. The parapet A view from below the new bridge shows the trusses of the a l l o w s v i e w i n g old bridge in the background. locations away from (Photo courtesy Multnomah County) sidewalk traffic. barge and it will take about two weeks Work will continue on the two to remove each span. The river piles will westside interchange ramps. Handrails be removed during the in-water work and architectural lights are being period that begins in July. installed on the arches. Editor’s Note: For a diagram of the new The old bridge deck and railings are bridge or for current construction photos gone as well the west approach to the and updates visit www.sellwoodbridge. detour bridge. The four original steel org. truss spans are going be lowered to a 503 291 0000 www.fearfreedental.com Parker Realty, Inc. Multnomah Village $549,000 Summer is a great time of year to... GET IN SHAPE pcc.edu/communityed Steps to the Village! Four bedrooms , three baths plus separate bonus apartment over garage. Hardwood floors , fireplace and a private setting. Back yard offers multiple decks and a courtyard with hot tub. 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 Jeff Parker Your Neighborhood Realtor Since 1980