| OR 43: Willamette River Bridge |
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| Project Summary: |
The historic Oregon City/West Linn Arch Bridge spanning the Willamette River has been a source of community pride since its opening in December 1922. However, after more than 85 years, this famous old bridge is in need of repairs.
Throughout the bridge, the deck, joints, rails, lighting and protective coating of the arch span require repair and replacement.
To protect the safety of all, the narrow bridge must be closed for approximately two years. Vehicles will detour over the nearby I-205 Abernethy Bridge. Due to safety concerns in the crowded work zone, the current plan is to close access to bicycles and pedestrians throughout the construction period. Free shuttle services will be provided with schedules and routes yet to be determined. Other options are still being investigated.
Work on the bridge will begin sometime late in 2009 and is expected to be completed in 2011.
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| Latest Information: |
NEIGHBORHOOD OPEN HOUSE EVENTS SCHEDULED!
Please plan to attend a neighborhood open house event for more information. We’ll provide opportunities for informal one-on-one chats with staff, information about the history of the bridge and work ahead, and brief project overviews will be presented throughout the evening.
OREGON CITY OPEN HOUSE
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Drop in anytime from 4 to 7 p.m.
Pioneer Community Center
615 Fifth Street; Oregon City
WEST LINN OPEN HOUSE
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Drop in anytime from 4 to 7 p.m.
West Linn Library
1595 Burns Street; West Linn
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| Latest News |
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May 2009: Bridge reopens early after utility work
After a 3-week closure, the Oregon City Arch Bridge was reopened to motor vehicles on Friday, May 1 - three days earlier than planned.
March 2009: Load Limit Effective March 4, 2009
The Oregon Department of Transportation is placing a new weight restriction to the Willamette River Bridge. The historic bridge built in 1922 connects Oregon City and West Linn. The structure will be closed to all commercial motor vehicles and all vehicles weighing more than 14 tons, effective Wednesday, March 4, 2009.
A complete closure of the bridge is planned for construction of the OR 43: Willamette River Bridge (Arch Bridge) Rehabilitation Project sometime in late fall or early winter 2009. The project is scheduled to be completed sometime in 2011. The detour route during the full closure will be the I-205 George Abernethy Bridge, currently the same detour route for this weight restriction.
Click here to read the Frequently Asked Questions information sheet regarding this change.
March 2009: I-205 George Abernethy Bridge Preservation Project Scheduled
The designated detour route for the Arch Bridge redirects all motor vehicles to use the nearby I-205 George Abernethy Bridge. A project to repair and repave this structure has been moved up in schedule from 2011 to summer 2009. It is estimated to require approximately ten weeks of night work and intermittent weekend closures of the Abernethy Bridge off- and on-ramps. Detoured traffic will be sent to the 10th Street interchange and the Gladstone interchange. This project must be substantially complete before the closure of the Arch Bridge is scheduled.
Look here for the I-205 George Abernethy Bridge Preservation Project web site.
December 2008: Bicycle and Pedestrian Access
ODOT originally planned to close the bridge to vehicular traffic while maintaining pedestrian and bicycle access. Recent in-depth inspections revealed the need for more significant work on the bridge than first anticipated. For example, it is now clear that the sidewalks and portions of the deck will need to be removed and rebuilt. Given the narrow width of the bridge and the need to accommodate construction equipment it will not be safe to have pedestrians and bicyclists on the bridge during construction.
While vehicles will be detoured over the nearby I–205 bridge during construction, this option cannot be used by pedestrians and bicyclists. ODOT is working to identify alternative ways to accommodate the safe and timely passage of pedestrians and bicyclists between the two cities.
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| Project Information |
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The historic Oregon City/West Linn arch bridge on Oregon 43, spanning the Willamette River, has been a source of community pride since its opening in December 1922. Today the historically significant bridge is in need of repairs.
Although some utility work will occur first, the bridge repairs will begin in the fall of 2009.
The main span’s exterior “Gunite” concrete covering was applied to the steel arches and other steel bridge components during the bridge’s construction to protect them from the corrosive environment once associated with the nearby mills. Today, portions of this protective covering are deteriorating and will need to be repaired.
Some areas of the deck support beams in the main span are showing signs of deterioration. These will be fixed and the entire deck will get a new overlay.
The historic rails are substandard and severely deteriorated. Craftsmen will replicate the railing with a safer design while retaining its historic look.
Additionally, the historic lights will be restored.
These along with other repairs will return the bridge back to its historic look and feel.
To complete the work, the narrow bridge will be closed. Vehicles will be detoured over the I-205 Bridge. Additionally for the safety of pedestrians and bicycles, these travelers will be shuttled over the I-205 Bridge.
Read Frequently Asked Questions about the upcoming bridge rehabilitation project
Click here for a brief history of the OR 43 Willamette River Bridge
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| ODOT Contact Information |
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Rick Keene, ODOT Project Leader
(503) 731-3289
Rick.K.Keene@odot.state.or.us
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Susan Hanson, ODOT Community Affairs Coordinator
(503) 731-3490
Susan.C.Hanson@odot.state.or.us
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