January 21, 2021

The Community Task Force for the Earthquake Ready Burnside Bridge project will hold a virtual online meeting on Monday, January 25 from 6 - 8 pm focused on bridge types for the new bridge. The task force will provide input on measures that will be used to compare the range of bridge types being studied. The task force is expected to recommend a bridge type in late spring.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic the meeting is being held online and will be live streamed at http://bit.ly/BurnsideCTF23. The public can submit comments to be shared at the meeting. To submit a comment, email it to burnsidebridge@multco.us by noon on January 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 studying alternatives that would create a resilient lifeline crossing over the Willamette River in the event of a major earthquake. The task force has recommended that a new Long Span bridge with a movable span be built. The movable span could be a bascule like the current bridge or a vertical lift. The approach spans could be a tied arch, cable supported, or truss, with a girder option for the west side.

The meeting agenda will include:

  • Public comment
  • Project update, including updates from project work groups, status of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement and outreach for bridge type selection
  • Update on the range of bridge types
  • Review and refinement of criteria and measures to be used in bridge type selection

Task force members represent residential areas, business districts, and interests including auto commuters, transit users, freight, pedestrians, bicyclists, 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 should be completed in late 2021. Design work will begin in 2022 and construction could start in 2024, pending funding. For information or to sign up for email notifications, visit www.burnsidebridge.org.