The Policy Advisory Group of the Sellwood Bridge Project has made their final decisions as to which bridge designs will move forward for further study and consideration.
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.