Notice: Comment period begins for Sellwood Bridge project

I’ll have a full story about this on the Front Page on Monday, but this is a very important step in the process so I wanted to share the announcement below with you ASAP.

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.

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