JULY 2012 UPDATE

Bridge Re-opens to Traffic on October 15

ODOT is pleased to announce that the Oregon City/West Linn Bridge is scheduled to re-open to traffic on Monday morning, October 15.

In conjunction with the re-opening of this community icon, the Willamette Falls Heritage Area Coalition is planning a three-day Willamette Falls Festival—Friday, October 14 through Sunday, October 14. ODOT’s re-dedication of the Arch Bridge is on Sunday afternoon. During the Festival, the Bridge will be open for pedestrians and bicyclists but closed to vehicle traffic from Friday afternoon through Sunday afternoon. Come and share in this unique opportunity to stroll the historic bridge and enjoy the breathtaking views of the Falls.

The Coalition invites you to join in celebrating the reopening of the Historic Arch Bridge during this fun-filled 3-day festival October 12th-14th in downtown Oregon City and West Linn. Check their web site for more details, Willamette Falls Festival.

Bridge Construction Update
The contractor, Wildish Standard Paving, is working both days and evenings. Here are the highlights:

Installation of new bridge pylons begins. Later, the replica historic lights will be mounted on these large obelisks.
Installation continues on the sidewalks and railings on both ends of the bridge.
Painting the bridge begins on the Oregon City side. The original bridge was painted grey and we found a spot on the bridge with the original color. So that color will be matched.

Traffic Impacts
There will be lane closures on 99E, one lane in each direction north and southbound, between the tunnel and 10th Street from 7 am to 3:30 pm. At night there will be multiple lanes closed between 9 p.m. and 4 a.m.

Shuttle News
We have carried 57,257 riders since the shuttle started on January 15, 2011. This total includes 9,300 bicycle rider trips.

Shuttle Service Ends on October 14
The Bridge Shuttle service will end when the Arch Bridge re-opens on Monday, October 15. The last trip will be on Sunday, October 14 at 10:30 p.m.

Parade Detours
The shuttle will have an occasional minor detour on Saturdays due to summer parades on Main Street in Oregon City. Look for detour information prior to each parade in the shuttle information kiosks.

JULY 9, 2012 UPDATE

JUNE 2012 UPDATE
The bridge has emerged from its white cocoon and work continues in many areas. During the summer, the contractor will work longer days, weekends and often at night to achieve the goal of re-opening the bridge to traffic this fall. The contractor, Wildish Standard Paving, is working on:

• Removing the sidewalks and bridge railings which will continue for the next couple weeks.
• Forming and pouring the concrete posts for the railing on the Oregon City and West Linn approaches to the bridge.
• Forming and pouring the concrete roadway on main span.
• Applying Shotcrete, below the bridge deck, to the stringers (columns) and the arch ribs.

Last week, the contractor finished installing the strakes which are bumpers on the upstream side of the arch ribs. They protect the bridge from debris floating down the river that could damage the arches.

JANUARY 15, 2011 UPDATE

Work on the bridge began in summer 2010. The full closure of the bridge started on Jan. 15, 2011, and is expected to be reopened to traffic in late 2012. 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. A shuttle service accommodates bicycle and pedestrian travel throughout construction.

ODOT is sharing information and project updates in a periodic electronic newsletter. If you would like to receive the newsletter, please email Susan Hanson. Your information will not be shared.