TRAFFIC ALERTS
Highway 43 Lane Closures: Lanes north of the bridge will be closed at off-peak hours July 5-8 during demolition of the northbound sidewalk, placement of concrete curbs, and installation of conduit for traffic loops on the ramp from southbound Hwy. 43 to the bridge.
Westside Trail: The regional trail between the west end of the bridge and SW Miles Place is tentatively scheduled to open by noon on Tuesday, July 5. Watch for a news alert to confirm the trail has opened. The current path along the east shoulder of Hwy. 43 between the bridge and Freeman Motors will be closed to bicyclists and pedestrians after the trail opens. The sidewalk in this area will be removed permanently. Trail users need to yield to construction vehicles where the trail crosses the construction road north of the bridge. There is a four-way stop where the trail intersects with the Macadam Bay driveway.
July 14 – 17 Bridge Closure: The Sellwood Bridge is scheduled to be closed to motor vehicles only from 6 am on Thursday, July 14 until no later than 6 am on Monday, July 18. The closure is needed during the concrete pour and cure for the seam of the east approach deck that borders the south half of the approach. Traffic vibrations can damage concrete during the cure. The bridge will remain open to bicyclists and pedestrians.
WEST SIDE WORK
New Bridge and Interchange: On the north side of the interchange bridge, construction of sidewalks and ADA ramps continues, along with electrical work on traffic loop detectors and lighting. Painters are staining the side girders of the bridge a rust red to match the arches of the main bridge.
On the northbound ramp from the bridge to Hwy. 43, widening of the sidewalk continues, with the next concrete pour on July 7. Concrete was poured this week for the bus pad.
On the southbound ramp from the bridge to Hwy. 43 the contractor is beginning to demobilize and install guardrails. The ramp will open later this summer.
On the southbound ramp from Hwy. 43 to the bridge, concrete was poured this week for street lights and traffic signal foundations. A bus pad will be built on the ramp, starting next week.
Multiuse Path Bridge: The contractor continues to build columns and caps for the bridge that will carry bicyclists and pedestrians on the regional trail under the main bridge to reach its south sidewalk. Concrete will be poured today for two columns at the low north end of the bridge. Pre-cast concrete beams will be installed in late July.
River View Cemetery: This week utilities were installed for the cemetery and the new traffic signal at the entrance to Hwy. 43. Next week work continues on electrical lines, irrigation, grading, sidewalks and curbs at the entrance.
Macadam Bay: Next week the sidewalk and curbs at the old Macadam Bay entrance will be removed. A new curb will be poured on the east side of Hwy. 43 late next week.
Stephens Creek: Embankment repairs will be performed at the creek’s outlet from the culvert on July 1, when the in-water work period begins.
Old Staff Jennings Property: Construction of a large bioswale to treat stormwater from the west half of the bridge and the interchange is in progress. The swale is being excavated and a liner installed. Old utilities are being removed. Rip rap rocks are being installed at the outfall. Next week forms will be built for concrete weirs that will detain stormwater while it is filtered.
RIVER WORK
Old Bridge Removal: The 245-foot long truss section of the old bridge over the navigation channel was lowered to a barge on June 29. The main river channel has reopened. The final span is scheduled to be lowered on July 12. The short ends of the truss spans that remain on top of the river piers are light enough to be removed by a crane.
Work Bridge Removal: A marine contractor is setting up to begin removing dozens of steel piles that supported the two work bridges. This work begins July 5 with the start of the in-water work period. Work that disturbs the river bottom is only allowed when protected migrating fish species are typically not in the river.
EAST SIDE WORK
East Approach: The contractor is installing deck rebar and bulkheads for the longitudinal concrete pour that between the north and south halves of the deck. Most of the north side deck will be poured on July 6, while the bridge is open to traffic. When concrete is poured along the seam of the south half of the approach, the bridge will be closed to motor vehicles July 14-17 during the pour and cure. Vibrations from traffic could weaken the bond between the new concrete and reinforcing steel along the seam before the concrete hardens.
Concrete will be poured for closures on the approach crossbeams on July 8.
Below the approach, grading begins next week for the new parking lot and landscaping for condominiums.
Condos: At Sellwood Harbor Condominiums on the south side of the bridge, the contractor is building new garages and a storage shed that replace buildings that were under the old bridge. Carpentry work on the last structure and sidewalk construction continue.
CONSTRUCTION WORK HOURS
Weekday work hours are typically 6 am to 5 pm in summer. On weekdays through July, the crew removing the detour bridge often work until 8 pm. During the July 2-4 holiday weekend, the only scheduled work is on Saturday morning on the east approach.
For More Information – Contact Mike Pullen, 503-209-4111, mike.j.pullen@multco.us.