If you would like to be involved with the future of the Sellwood Bridge, Multnomah County is recruiting volunteers to serve on a Community Task Force. It would be great to have some bicyclists on this committee. Here’s more information about the task force followed by a PDF of the application you can download:
“The project goal is to select and construct the alternative that best meets the needs of bridge users, neighbors and the larger community. The Community Task Force will develop criteria and evaluate and rank alternatives to meet the project’s goal.
The ideal Community Task Force volunteer is someone:
• Interested in the Sellwood Bridge project
• Available to attend monthly evening meetings for two years, starting in spring 2006
• Able to represent the interests of an organization or interest group
• With volunteer committee experienceNo professional design experience is required.”
If you’re interested, just complete an application form (PDF) and return it to Multnomah County’s Public Affairs Office by April 17, 2006.
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Well I attended the Sellwood Bridge taskforce meeting at the Oaks Bottom Park. After searching for a long time to find the location I came in to hear what the plans were for the future of this link. Unfortunately the news isn’t very good. The prediction is no less than 10 yrs for replacement/refurbishment, and not enough $$ to do it. I asked about options to create a safe link across the bridge before this time period and the answer was “not right now.” There was a strong contingency speaking for safe bike/ped access across the bridge. There were also very vocal statements about the danger of crossing Tacoma (these folks probably don’t connect their own driving behavior with such danger). Most people there however simply wanted to ensure that they could comfortably drive their big cars across with little traffic delays. I submitted my proposal (www.thecornucopia.org/urban-planning.htm) for a two-span bridge that would leave the existing structure for bikes/peds and would ensure no property condemnation.
I also spoke with Ley Garnett who produces for Oregon Public Broadcasting. They will do a nice piece on the event tomarow and it will be available on the web (www.opb.org)
You are not the only one suggesting the Sellwood Bridge remain as it exists for bikes/peds to cross. I have submitted an application for the Sellwood Bridge Community Task Force and am currently collecting suggestions/recommendations to hopefully bring to the Task Force if selected. I am a pedestrian, dog walker, and motorist. I also live 5 blocks east of the bridge. Whatever change that takes place, will likely impact the neighborhood, possibly permanently. Now is the time we let the County know our opinions.