October 21, 2021

The Community Task Force for the Earthquake Ready Burnside Bridge project will hold a virtual online meeting on Monday, October 25 from 6 - 8 pm focused on cost saving measures and recommendations for bridge structure types. The meeting will include updates on the project’s schedule and work plan.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic the meeting is being held online and will be live streamed at https://hdrinc.rev.vbrick.com/#/webcasts/burnsidebridge. The public can submit comments to be shared at the meeting.  To submit a comment, email it to burnsidebridge@multco.us by noon on Monday, October 25.  A recording of the meeting will be posted to the project website Library the week after the meeting. Meeting materials are available on the project website.

The Earthquake Ready Burnside Bridge project is in the environmental review phase. The project’s purpose is to create the first resilient lifeline crossing over the Willamette River in the central city that can be used after a major earthquake. The task force has recommended that a new Long Span bridge with a movable span be built.

At the meeting, task force members will discuss and take a preliminary vote on a package of cost-saving refinements to the preferred alternative. The refinements include narrowing the width of the bridge to roughly the width of the existing bridge (reducing one traffic lane and narrowing the shared space for bicyclists and pedestrians). The space for bicyclists and pedestrians would be wider than the existing bridge but less than what was originally proposed for the new bridge.

Other refinements include recommending a girder structure for the west approach and a bascule drawbridge similar to the existing bridge.  The task force will take a final vote in January after a briefing on public input received.

Multnomah County is working to reduce the project’s cost so that it is more likely to be funded and built.  The public will have an opportunity for input through an online open house that will be open from mid-November through mid-December.  Meanwhile, Multnomah County is seeking to secure additional project funds from external sources.

Task force members represent residential areas, business districts, and interests including pedestrians, bicyclists, auto commuters, transit users, freight, river users, bridge history, social service agencies, and other organizations based near the bridge.

Multnomah County maintains the Burnside Bridge and leads the Earthquake Ready Burnside Bridge project. The environmental review phase will be completed next summer.  Design work will begin in 2022 and construction could start in 2025, pending funding. For information or to sign up for email notifications, visit www.burnsidebridge.org.