Item B: I-5 Willamette River Bridge - ODOT Update

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Frequently Asked Questions September 2009 What are the benefits of the project? The new bridge will improve mobility, connectivity and safety for drivers on Interstate 5. It will also improve the regional transportation system. The new bridges will be modern facilities that meet long-term traffic demands and allow for future expansion of Franklin Boulevard, I-5 and the railroad. The proposed project will reduce the number of bridge piers in the Willamette River and surrounding areas, diminishing impacts on the river environment, wildlife and park users. Traffic volumes are projected to require three lanes in each direction of I-5 in this area within 20 years. Even if the old bridge were repaired now, ODOT would need to replace it in 20 years at an estimated construction cost of $350 million. Why is ODOT replacing the bridge rather than repairing it? A 2002 inspection identified shear cracks in the Interstate 5 bridge structure. Further inspection determined that the bridge was structurally deficient and could not be repaired or widened to accommodate projected traffic increases. ODOT determined that a new bridge was needed to improve safety while maintaining connectivity and mobility. ODOT built a temporary bridge in 2004 as an interim solution to keep I-5 open for traffic until a new bridge could be built. The temporary bridge was constructed using materials and methods that could be installed quickly, but that do not meet environmental or design standards for permanent interstate bridges. The temporary bridge has alleviated safety concerns and allowed normal commerce along I-5 to continue while ODOT works with the public and the design team to create a distinctive permanent bridge that satisfies environmental and land-use requirements. While repairing the I-5 bridge would have cost about $50 million, it would have required an estimated $50,000 per year in ongoing maintenance. In addition, ODOT would not have been able to replace the substandard shoulders that keep disabled vehicles from pulling out of the travel lanes in an emergency. 1