Wyden, Merkley: $13.8 Million to City of Portland to Replace Nearly Century-Old Burgard Bridge
Bike lanes and pedestrian sidewalk included in replacement bridge design
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that the City of Portland will receive $13.8 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation to replace the Burgard Bridge.
“I have long said that you can’t have a big league economy without big league infrastructure, and that includes resilient bridges,” Wyden said. “I am gratified to see these dollars go toward replacing the Burgard Bridge in North Portland so that commuters and visitors alike can continue to safely get from Point A to Point B.”
“Portland’s many bridges offer a direct connection between neighborhoods and communities alike, and we have to do all we can to make sure they are safe and reliable for everyone that depends on them,” Merkley said. “I’m grateful this funding is headed to Portland for the replacement of the Burgard Bridge, which serves as a critical connection between the North Portland peninsula and other parts of the city. This project will not only help to connect businesses and travelers, but will also help encourage alternative, low-carbon forms of transportation by adding bike lanes and sidewalks to the bridge.”
The Burgard Bridge is located at the intersection of the entrance to the Port of Portland's Terminal 4 and Northwest Container Services -- two major industrial destinations in the metro area. The project will replace the existing 92-year-old viaduct over the Union Pacific Railroad, providing significant new seismic resiliency in the St Johns neighborhood. The planned cross-section for the new bridge will include a two-way protected bike lane at sidewalk level on the east side and 8-foot sidewalks on both sides. Portland Bureau of Transportation's Fixing Our Streets program provided $3.8 million in matching funds.
“I am grateful for the Federal investment in repairing and restoring the Burgard Bridge in North Portland. This significant freight project rebuilding the old deficient bridge provides the only direct connection between Highway 30 and the Rivergate Industrial Area. It’s been a priority for the Portland Freight Committee, Port of Portland, Columbia Corridor Association, and other stakeholders for many years,” said Portland City Commissioner Mingus Mapps.
"We're so thankful for this federal investment," said Tara Wasiak, Interim Director of the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT). "This investment will provide access for freight to some crucial industrial areas, and provide a safer route for biking and walking on a major corridor in the St. Johns neighborhood. With a seismic upgrade, this bridge will benefit Portlanders and our entire region for generations to come."
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