PBOT to host open house to brief community

(April 13, 2016) – The Portland Bureau of Transportation has recently obtained funding for a $2.8 million replacement of the 122nd Avenue Bridge, which spans Johnson Creek in East Portland.

The bridge was damaged by heavy rains during winter storms and will remain closed to motor vehicles until a replacement bridge can be built, expected in 2019. The bridge sidewalk currently remains open for biking and walking.

“Public safety is our top priority and in this case to keep the public safe we need to limit access to the bridge until it can be replaced,” Portland Transportation Director Leah Treat said. “We understand a closure of this magnitude will be an inconvenience for the traveling public, and we will work to minimize the inconvenience in the coming weeks and during the construction period. We have made this decision after carefully considering the need for public safety. We’re thankful for funding recently approved by the state.”

Since January, PBOT crews have worked to stabilize the bridge site to limit the risk of further deterioration. In March, a committee of the Oregon Department of Transportation and local agencies allocated $2.5 million in Federal Highway Bridge Funds for replacement of the 122nd Avenue Bridge. The federal funds require a local match of $300,000, which PBOT will provide using general transportation revenue, which is mainly funded by parking revenue and the City’s share of state gas tax.

Travelers in the area should use alternate routes to travel between SE Foster Road and SE Flavel Street.

Local access will be maintained south of SE Foster Road and North of SE Flavel for residents and businesses. Access to the Leach Botanical Garden, a major destination in the area that is located next to the bridge, will also be maintained.

“Spring begins our busy season at Leach Botanical Garden, with weddings and events as well as casual visitors coming to enjoy the peace and beauty,” said David Porter, executive director of Leach Garden Friends, a non-profit that operates the garden for Portland Parks & Recreation. “We want people to know that our parking lot is open as normal and can be reached from the south via Flavel Street.”

The garden’s parking lot provides 32 spaces for visitors and is available south of the bridge. Visitors can walk across the bridge to reach the garden’s main entrance, just north of the bridge. A map with directions to the garden and the parking lot is available at the garden’s web site: leachgarden.org

PBOT will host an open house for the public to learn more about the bridge replacement project and to better understand the detour routes that are in place until a new bridge can be opened. The public will also have the opportunity to ask PBOT staff questions and to provide comment on signage and other measures that can help local access during the closure.

122nd Avenue Bridge Open House

7 to 8 p.m., Thursday April 28

Manor House at Leach Botanical Gardens

6704 SE 122nd Avenue

For more information on the open house, contact Cevero Gonzalez, 503-823-5080 or cevero.gonzalez@portlandoregon.gov

PBOT crews have posted two detour routes during the bridge closure.

Alternate Route 1 SE 110th/112th:

Southbound traffic is detoured west at SE Foster Rd to southbound on SE 110th Dr/SE 112th Ave to SE Flavel St and eastbound back to SE 122nd Ave. Northbound traffic will be detoured at SE Flavel St west to SE 112th Ave/SE 110th Dr, then east on SE Foster Rd, back to SE 122nd Ave.

Alternate Route 2, SE 134th/Deardorff Road:

Southbound traffic is detoured east at SE Foster Rd to southbound on SE 134th Ave/SE Deardorff Road to SE Flavel St and westbound back to SE 122nd Ave. Northbound traffic will be detoured at SE Flavel St east to Deardorff Road/ SE 134th Ave and west on SE Foster Rd, back to SE 122nd Ave.

The traveling public is advised to travel cautiously, observe the closure signage and directions by reader boards and detour signage.

This work is weather-dependent and the schedule may change.

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The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is the steward of the City’s transportation system, and a community partner in shaping a livable city. We plan, build, manage and maintain an effective and safe transportation system that provides access and mobility. www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation