Funding to replace the Selwood Bridge is coming together. As per HB 2001 -- the transportation funding package that passed the Oregon legislature this past session -- Multnomah County is considering a new, $19 motorized vehicle registration fee that will raise $127 million to help pay for the bridge.

According to a fact sheet issued by Multnomah County (PDF here), the fee would be in place for 20 years, it would apply to 577,240 motorized vehicles registered in the county (trucks weighing 26,000 lbs. are exempt), and County residents would start paying the fee in Fall of 2010.

At a public hearing held last week, Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) Executive Director Scott Bricker testified in support of the vehicle fee.

In a letter to Commissioners, Bricker pointed out that in a 2005 BTA survey, the Sellwood Bridge was cited as the "most insurmountable and oft-cited physical barrier". Bricker also strongly supported the vehicle fee, stating that in a separate survey of more than 2,000 "bicyclists", the BTA found that 9 out of 10 of them owned at least one car and 2 out of 5 own two cars or more. Based on that, Bricker testified:

"While bicycles, as vehicles, have a near-negligible impact on existing roadways, the BTA absolutely supports raising money for new bicycle infrastructure in such ways that bicyclists can also contribute. A vehicle registration fee is one of those way."

The cross-section of the locally preferred alternative chosen in February.

A locally preferred alternative for the bridge design was selected back in February. It includes two, 12-foot lanes for motor vehicle traffic, a 6 1/2-foot wide bike traffic lane, and a 12-foot sidewalk.

Total bridge cost is estimated to be $330 million and the rest would be paid through a mix of sources including federal funds, a similar (yet smaller) vehicle fee expected to be enacted by Clackamas County, and existing County bridge coffers. If all these funding sources come through, construction will begin in late 2012 and be completed in 2016.

Multnomah County commissioners are considering the new vehicle registration fee at a hearing today and a second hearing on October 22nd. Check out SellwoodBridge.org for more information.

Policy leaders recommend Sellwood Bridge plan

After two and a half years of study, a committee of elected and agency leaders has recommended a locally preferred alternative for the Sellwood Bridge Project. The alternative, which was unanimously approved on February 6, includes these elements:

- A new bridge built on the existing alignment and widening to the south
- A grade-separated and signalized interchange at the intersection with Highway 43 on the west side
- A pedestrian activated signal at the intersection of SE Tacoma and SE 6th Ave. at the east end of the bridge
- A cross section of 64 feet or less at its narrowest point, with two traffic lanes, two bike lanes/shoulders, and two sidewalks

The Policy Advisory Group includes representatives of jurisdictions and agencies with an interest in the Sellwood Bridge. The group is chaired by Multnomah County Chair Ted Wheeler and includes Portland Mayor Sam Adams, Milwaukie City Councilor Greg Chaimov, Federal Highway Administration Manager Philip Ditzler, TriMet General Manager Fred Hansen, Multnomah County Commissioner Deborah Kafoury, Metro Councilor Robert Liberty, Clackamas County Chair Lynn Peterson, State Sen. Diane Rosenbaum, ODOT Region 1 Manager Jason Tell, and State Rep. Carolyn Tomei.

The recommended alternative was similar to one recommended in January by a Community Task Force of eighteen citizens, with one exception: task force members were undecided on the minimum width of the bridge.

The next steps are for the locally preferred alternative to be approved by the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners, the Portland City Council, Metro’s Joint Policy Advisory Committee on Transportation, and the Metro Council. After these jurisdictions vote in February and March, staff will refine the proposed design and prepare a Final Environmental Impact Statement that the Federal Highway Administration will need to approve before federal funds can be used for design and right of way acquisition. Federal approval is expected in 2010. If funding can be secured, construction could begin in 2012.

The selection of a preferred alternative is a key step in securing funding for a project estimated to cost roughly $300 million. “Our congressional delegation has been very clear that we will need to have a regional consensus on the Sellwood Bridge plan if we want to have a realistic chance of securing federal dollars for the project,” noted Multnomah County Chair Ted Wheeler. “We have now delivered on that regional consensus.”

Policy leaders to choose Sellwood Bridge plan

The Policy Advisory Group for the Sellwood Bridge Project will meet on Friday, February 6 at 3:00 pm in the boardroom of the Multnomah Building at 501 SE Hawthorne Blvd. to choose a locally preferred alternative. The decision is a major step in a planning project that began in 2006. The meeting is open to the public and will include time for public comment.

The Policy Advisory Group includes elected leaders from jurisdictions with an interest in the Sellwood Bridge as well as appointed leaders of transportation agencies involved in the project. Multnomah County Chair Ted Wheeler serves as chair of the Policy Group.

The meeting agenda will include a presentation of the alternative recommended by the project’s Community Task Force. The task force recommended that a new bridge be constructed on the existing alignment and widened to the south. The citizen panel also recommended a signalized interchange at the west end where the bridge intersects with Highway 43 and a signal for bicyclists and pedestrians at the east end where the bridge ties in with SE Tacoma St. and SE Sixth Ave. The task force did not recommend whether the minimum width of the bridge should be 64 feet or 76 feet.

The locally preferred alternative recommended by the Policy Group will need to be approved by the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners, the Portland City Council, Metro’s Joint Policy Advisory Committee on Transportation, and the Metro Council. After these local jurisdictions vote in February and March, staff will refine the proposed design and prepare a Final Environmental Impact Statement that the Federal Highway Administration will need to review and approve before federal funds can be used for design and right of way acquisition. Federal approval is expected in 2010. If funding can be secured, construction could begin in 2012.

Multnomah County maintains the Sellwood Bridge, five other Willamette River bridges, and more than 300 miles of roads. For more information, visit www.sellwoodbridge.org.

Despite cold and foggy weather, organizers reported a turnout of hundreds at the Sellwood Bridge march and rally Saturday morning.

The crowds on Tacoma.
(Photo: Aaron Tarfman)

The event was put together by local residents and the Sellwood-Moreland Improvement League (SMILE). The march was escorted by Portland Police and it went half-way across the bridge before returning to the Sellwood Community Center.

Judging from photos and reports, the crowd was full of families and kids. Here's a snip from the Oregonian:

While the event had a distinctive family flavor with children on bicycles and in strollers and wagons, organizer Bradley Heintz kept the group on task, barking slogans through a scratchy megaphone.

"OK!" Heintz said, walking backward. "I'm going to say, '64 and no more,' and you say, 'That is what we're marching for!'"

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The SMILE neighborhood group wants to send a message that they support a bridge design that is no more than 64-feet wide and that has a maximum of two motor vehicle lanes (read more about SMILE's position on the bridge in our report last week).

The next major decision point on this project will come this Friday (2/6) when the Sellwood Bridge Policy Advisory Group is expected to recommend a preferred alternative that identifies the alignment, the design of traffic interchanges at both ends, the number of lanes it should have, and the overall width of the bridge.

-- Browse our previous coverage of the Sellwood Bridge Project and learn more at SellwoodBridge.org.

Detail of event flyer - Download full version (250kb)

The Sellwood Bridge Project has reached some key decision points in recent weeks. Last week, the project's Community Task Force made their official recommendation on the bridge alignment and lane configuration to the Policy Advisory Group (the PAG includes Mayor Adams, Metro councilor Robert Liberty, and others). On February 6th, the PAG is set to make a recommendation of their own.

In the meantime, the community wants to make a statement that whatever decision is made is in accordance with the city's Tacoma Main Street Plan. "We want to make sure the bridge is no greater than 64-feet wide and that it only has two lanes of motor vehicle traffic," said Heintz.

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Heintz said he and other members of the Sellwood Moreland Improvement League (SMIL) are worried that if a wider configuration is pushed through, the now wide and ample room for bikes and pedestrians might get re-striped as a motor vehicle lane in the future.

The 64-foot cross-section.

In addition to lane configuration, Heintz also wants to make sure that Tacoma Street (the street the bridge is on) stays as safe as possible. Back in November, a Sellwood boy was hit while trying to cross Tacoma at SE 13th Avenue on his bicycle.

Another Sellwood resident, Christopher Heaps, says they hope for a good showing at the rally. Heaps says whoever shows up, "will help preserve a neighborhood where people feel comfortable walking and riding," and he added that, "a two-lane bridge...will do just that."

The march organizers have secured a permit to go down Tacoma and half-way across the bridge.

Sellwood Bridge March
Saturday, 1/31 at 9:30am
Location: Sellwood Community Center (SE Spokane and 15th Ave.)

-- Browse our previous coverage of the Sellwood Bridge Project.

Here's more from a press release sent out today by Multnomah County (they own and manage the bridge):

The task force will also hear presentations on public comments received about the project’s draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), results of a public survey about the preferred alternative, and a report on possible hybrids that combine elements of alternatives that were studied in the draft EIS. Five build alternatives and one no build option were analyzed in the draft EIS. The build alternatives include three bridge replacements and two rehabilitations of the existing bridge...

This month the task force will recommend its preferred alternative to the project’s Policy Advisory Group, comprised of elected and appointed officials. If the task force cannot reach consensus on a recommendation on Monday, a second meeting will be held January 19. On February 6 the Policy Advisory Group will consider the task force recommendation before making its own recommendation. The preferred alternative recommended by the Policy Group must be adopted by Multnomah County, the City of Portland and Metro before the Federal Highway Administration can issue a final approval.

The task force meeting is open to the public and will include time for public comment.

The Community Task Force for the Sellwood Bridge Project will meet on Monday, January 5 from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm at OMSI, 1945 SE Water Avenue.

The press release from Multnomah County is below:

The public is invited to an open house and formal public hearing to learn about and comment on a study of alternatives to rehabilitate or replace the 82-year-old Sellwood Bridge. A locally preferred alternative is scheduled to be selected early next year.

The open house and hearing will be on Wednesday, December 10 from 6 pm to 8:30 pm at OMSI, 1945 SE Water Ave. in Portland. The public hearing takes place from 7 pm to 8:30 pm. The open house begins at 6 pm in a location near the hearing room and will run until 8:30 pm.

The events are focused on explaining and seeking comment on a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that compares five Build Alternatives and a No Build Alternative. The cost of the alternatives (in 2012 dollars) ranges from $54 million for the No Build to as much as $361 million for the most costly Build Alternative. The Draft EIS describes the social and natural environmental impacts of the alternatives.

The open house will include displays describing the alternatives and identifying differences between them. Oral testimony will be taken at the public hearing. Written and oral comments will be taken at the open house. All comments become part of the official project record and will be responded to in the Final EIS.

Written comments can be submitted online through the project website (www.sellwoodbridge.org) or by mail until the comment period for the Draft EIS closes on December 22. Mailed comments should be sent to Sellwood Bridge Project, c/o Mike Pullen, 2020 SW 4th Ave., Suite 300, Portland, OR 97201. An online survey is available during the comment period on the project website. Survey results will inform decision makers about community preferences for the alternatives, but survey responses will not be responded to in the Final EIS.

Reasonable accommodations can be made for people with disabilities attending the open house and hearing. Please call 503-988-6804 to make arrangements.

The 450-page draft EIS and a 40-page Executive Summary are available at the project website and at Multnomah and Clackamas county library branches (at the reference desk).

Multnomah County maintains the Sellwood Bridge, five other Willamette River bridges, and 300 miles of roads. For more information about the Sellwood Bridge project, visit www.sellwoodbridge.org.

Multnomah County has released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Sellwood Bridge Project. Included in the DEIS are details of the five bridge design configurations that are being considered.

Now, the County needs your feedback to help them decide what type of bridge to build.

The Sellwood Bridge is a major barrier to biking and better bike facilities on it would open up a host of possibilities for all types of riders -- whether you'd enjoy a weekend riverfront spin, a safer, more efficient ride to work, or both.

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One of the five alternatives includes a separate bike/ped bridge. It's a pretty exciting prospect. Here's the description from the county:

The bicycle/pedestrian bridge will be 23 feet wide, with 20 feet for bicycle/pedestrian use and 1.5-foot railings. Its alignment will extend from the Springwater Trail on the east side, above the parking lot of Sellwood Riverfront Park, over the river to north of Staff Jennings, and across Highway 43 to connect to a Riverview Cemetery access road as recommended by the Bicycle/Pedestrian Working Group. Ramps from the bicycle/pedestrian bridge will also connect to the Greenway Trail on the west side.

And a cross-section drawing:

This design is one of five alternatives on the table for the new Sellwood Bridge.

It's exciting to see a separate bike/ped bridge included in the DEIS and it would be great if the County heard a lot of support from the community about it. One thing to keep in mind as you submit your comments is that the preferred alternative that's eventually selected will very likely be a hybrid of various components (like interchange design, bike/ped facility, where the bridge touches down, etc...), and will not be a carbon copy of any one of the five alternatives.

Comments can be submitted in person at public hearings or online and will be collected through December 22nd. All comments will be given to the project's Community Task Force and the Policy Advisory Group to help them select a "Locally Preferred Alternative."

More information on other designs being considered available at the excellent project website, SellwoodBridge.org.

Public comment period begins for Sellwood Bridge alternatives study

Multnomah County is accepting public comments on a study of five build alternatives and a no build option for the Sellwood Bridge. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) compares impacts of the alternatives in areas such as cost, residential and business relocations, bridge closure periods, traffic flow, and flexibility for future travel needs. The public can comment on the study and share their preferred alternative via an online survey from November 7 through December 22. Public input will factor into the selection of a locally preferred alternative in early 2009. Citizens have a number of ways to learn about and comment on the alternatives study:

Where to find the Draft EIS: The 450-page document and a 38-page executive summary are available:

-- Online at www.sellwoodbridge.org
-- At Multnomah County and Clackamas County branch libraries (reference desk)

How to provide comments: Comments received during the official comment period (November 7 to December 22) will be responded to in the Final EIS.

-- Online: At www.sellwoodbridge.org
-- In Writing: Written comments should be mailed to Sellwood Bridge Project, 2020 SE 4th Ave., Portland, OR 97201. Comment forms are also available at community briefings and the public hearing (described below).
-- Open house/public hearing: An open house will be held on Wednesday, December 10 from 6 pm to 8:30 pm at OMSI, 1945 SE Water Ave., with a formal public hearing from 7 pm to 8:30 pm. Written and oral comments will be taken at the open house and hearing.
-- Take the online survey: An online survey is available at www.sellwoodbridge.org through December 22. The short survey is an informal poll to gauge community preferences on the alternatives. Survey comments are not included in the Final EIS.

Attend a community briefing: Four identical one-hour briefings will share highlights of the draft EIS findings. If you cannot attend a briefing, watch a video of the presentation at www.sellwoodbridge.org. Briefings are:

-- November 10 at 6 pm and 7:15 pm at the Multnomah Building Boardroom, 501 SE Hawthorne Blvd.
-- November 13 at 6 pm and 7:15 pm at Oaks Park Dance Pavilion, 7100 SE Oaks Park Way

The purpose of the current project is to identify a long-term solution to repair or replace the 82-year-old Sellwood Bridge.

# # #

Below is the official press release from Multnomah County. You can also see engineering renditions of the designs on this post from a few weeks ago and for more background, see my complete coverage of the Sellwood Bridge Project.

Bridge types selected for Sellwood Bridge study

Bridge types to be studied for a new Sellwood Bridge were selected at a December 10 meeting of the Sellwood Bridge Policy Advisory Group. The decision confirmed a recommendation of the project’s Community Task Force, which evaluated bridge types and considered public input this fall.

Six bridge types will be studied in the draft Environmental Impact Statement in the next few months. They include bridge types of moderate and higher price and types that meet the requirements of different alignments, users, and construction plans.

Two bridge types of moderate cost will be studied: Box Girder and Delta Frame.

Two higher cost types were advanced: Deck Arch and Through Arch.

In addition to these, Cable-Stayed and Stress Ribbon bridge types will also be studied for a separate crossing for bicyclists and pedestrians.

Extradosed and Suspension bridge types were considered but were not advanced.

“Bridge type” refers to a general structural type. With this week’s decision, the bridge types, alignments, cross sections and interchanges that will be studied have been identified. A technical team will now study the impacts and costs of these alternatives. In late spring 2008, study results will be announced and the public will be invited to help select a locally preferred alternative that includes a single bridge type. Decisions about how the bridge design will evolve within the chosen bridge type will be made later in the design phase.

“There was strong consensus that we should study these bridge types in more detail so we preserve our options for a new bridge,” said Commissioner Maria Rojo de Steffey, who co-chairs the Policy Advisory Group. “We appreciate the contributions of everyone who participated in this decision.”

Multnomah County maintains the Sellwood Bridge, five other Willamette River bridges, and more than 300 miles of roads. For more information, visit www.sellwoodbridge.org.