Aging bridge could lead to car-free stretch of roadway north of Forest Grove

porter road bridge

(Image: Google Maps.)

Part of the Tualatin Valley Scenic Bikeway might become virtually car-free if Washington County moves ahead with a proposal to end auto traffic over a small, failing bridge across Council Creek.

The county’s Department of Land Use and Transportation floated the idea last week in a public memo that described the situation for the bridge that carries Porter Road over the creek just north of Highway 47.

“Due to its deteriorating condition, Bridge 1296 over Council Creek is restricted to vehicles under 13 tons,” the agency wrote. “The county is looking at options including the potential closure of the nearly 65-year-old bridge because the structure is at the end of its useful life, ongoing repairs are not cost-effective, and funding for its replacement is not readily available.”

That “closure” wouldn’t affect people walking or biking, though.

“If the bridge were closed to motor vehicles, then emergency vehicles, local residents and businesses would have access up to the bridge, but not across the bridge,” the memo goes on. “Bicyclists and pedestrians would continue to have access across the bridge.”

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Aside from the odd suggestion that people who might want to walk or bike across the bridge wouldn’t include either local residents or businesses, this could be a nice touch for people riding the meandering Tualatin Valley bikeway.

The bridge in question is at the 15-mile marker in the image below:

forest grove to banks bikeway

The central segment of the Tualatin Valley Scenic Bikeway that joins Hillsboro and Vernonia.

And as we reported last week, this stretch of road is also one of the possible routes for an improved “Council Creek Regional Trail” that would create a more direct, transportation-oriented connection between Hillsboro and Banks. Essentially turning this bridge into a traffic diverter for this stretch of road could make path construction unnecessary, at least for a while, between state Route 47 and NW Verboort Road.

Lisa Frank, the Bicycle Transportation Alliance’s Washington County advocate, wrote in an email that the outcome for biking “could be pretty exciting.”

The county is currently asking for feedback on the suggestion. If this partial bridge closure would affect you in any way, call 503-846-ROAD (846-7623) or email lutops@co.washington.or.us.

Michael Andersen (Contributor)

Michael Andersen (Contributor)

Michael Andersen was news editor of BikePortland.org from 2013 to 2016 and still pops up occasionally.

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q`Tzal
q`Tzal
10 years ago

The public memo seems to show this bridge as being located at diamond marker 15 on the map included in the our article.
Would you say this is correct and might be of value in the article or annotated on the map?

Joseph E
10 years ago
Reply to  q`Tzal

Yes, that’s what it looks like.

Lynne
Lynne
10 years ago

could you give the location of the bridge?

Lynne
Lynne
10 years ago

also, if one wanted to meander LESS, Evers Rd from Greenville Rd to Osterman Rd is paved. And very quiet.

Jeff S
Jeff S
10 years ago
Reply to  Lynne

thanks for the info, Lynne – this must be fairly recent, since The Google streetview from 2012 shows it as gravel?

Allan
Allan
10 years ago
Reply to  Lynne

if that’s true, perhaps they could change the official routing of the bikeway to reflect this? meandering that much seems like a deterrent to riders using the route

Lynne
Lynne
10 years ago

quite recent. Our Verboort Populaire was routed over it, and the organizer hadn’t realized it was now paved. We were all delighted, because the other Banks to Verboort options were a bit longer, and with the sausage festival, busy.

Dwaine Dibbly
Dwaine Dibbly
10 years ago

Another place to repurpose a section of the old Sellwood bridge.

Lynne
Lynne
10 years ago

today IS the last day to comment on the proposed Council Creek trail routing. I recommended Evers as part of the Banks->Forest Grove stretch. It was in their list of options they are considering.

Lynne
Lynne
10 years ago
Jayne Cravens
6 years ago

Is there any update on this? I live in Forest Grove and would love to know what’s happening and where to find more info.