Traffic changes are in store for Sellwood Bridge users when the bridge is closed from 5 a.m. on Wednesday, November 19 until as late as 11:59 p.m. on Friday, November 21. The closure will allow the bridge contractor to do work to shift traffic onto the new east approach from SE Tacoma Street.
After the traffic shift, the contractor will demolish the eastern spans of the old approach in December and construct the north half of the approach in 2015. When the bridge reopens on Friday, bridge users will travel a wide S-curve from the detour bridge onto the new east approach. Bicyclists and pedestrians will share a path separated from traffic by a concrete barrier. The speed limit on the bridge will be reduced from 25 mph to 20 mph for safety, until the new bridge opens in 2016.
During the closure the bridge will be closed to motor vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians. Highway 43 will remain open to two-way traffic. Here are travel tips for bridge users:
Motor Vehicles: The posted westbound detour routes during the closure are:
- Northbound: Hwy. 99E (McLoughlin Blvd.) to Ross Island Bridge to Hwy. 43
- Southbound: Hwy. 99E to Interstate 205 (Abernethy Bridge at Oregon City) to Hwy. 43
- Eastbound routes are the reverse.
Congestion is expected on roads between the Sellwood and Ross Island bridges during commute hours. Travelers should plan their alternate route in advance and expect longer trips during the closure.
Bicyclists and Pedestrians: Bicyclists and pedestrians may prefer the Hawthorne Bridge for the northern detour. The Hawthorne Bridge can be accessed from the Sellwood neighborhood by the Springwater Trail.
The Sellwood Bridge is normally open during construction and will remain open through the 2014 holiday season after November 21. Please remember to support local businesses during construction.
The start of construction on the north half of the east approach will change several bicycle and pedestrian features on the northeast side of the bridge. On Wednesday a staircase between the east end of the bridge and the Springwater Trail will close, as well as the sidewalk on the north side of Tacoma between SE Grand Ave. and the bridge. These areas will be in the construction zone starting this week.
Multnomah County is the lead agency for the Sellwood Bridge project. The new bridge is scheduled to open in early 2016 and the entire project will be completed in late 2016. For more project information, visit www.sellwoodbridge.org.