N. Going Street Railroad viaduct

Project Background

The Going Street Bridge serves as the link to the Swan Island industrial area in North Portland.  It was originally constructed in the 1930's and was widened in the 1970's.  There have been no updates to the bridge since the 1970's and it is in need of seismic upgrades.  Given the bridge's current structural condition, in a moderate earthquake the Going Bridge would most likely collapse on the railroad tracks below.

The City of Portland has a prioritized list of city-owned bridges in need of seismic retrofitting.  The Going Street Bridge is identified as one of the city’s top priorities for seismic upgrades.  This bridge is considered vulnerable to impact of a moderate seismic event.

Seismic Retrofit

The N. Going Street Seismic Retrofit Project will provide structural and geotechnical engineering assessment and design to retrofit the existing bridge structure to resist seismic loads.  The design shall conform to the latest ODOT seismic design criteria.  This criteria requires that the bridge remain serviceable after a 500-year return period event and that the bridge will satisfy a no collapse criteria for a 1,000-year return period event.  The existing bridge still has an estimated 15-25 years of useable life.  It is anticipated that this seismic strengthening project will prolong the life of the bridge up to 50 years.

 There is $4,300,000 of funds available for the design and construction of this project.  This total includes $3,000,000 of Oregon Transportation Investment Act (OTIA) funds, $1, 000,000 of Federal funds and $300,000 of City funds.  City staff believes that if the seismic strengthening can be done with little or no impact to the UPRR yard the cost of this project will be reduced.

Bridge Replacement

To replace the existing bridge with a new single column bridge is estimated to cost $15,000,000 dollars.  A new clear span bridge is estimated at $20,000,000. 

 
Waud Bluff Trail

The City of Portland has received an ODOT (Oregon Dept. of Transportation) Transportation Enhancement (TE) grant to construct the Waud Bluff Trail.  The route follows an existing "made path" down the bluff just below the University of Portland to Swan Island.  City Parks will provide the required 10% match and has committed to maintaining the facility.  The trail will be paved, 10-12' wide with a bridge over the UPRR track and stairs with bike slots (like in Germany).  At the top...Willamette Blvd will have a full crosswalk and sidewalk piece to connect the trail to existing sidewalks.  At the bottom a full 12' trail will connect to Basin Avenue.  This will be a full 100%, 1st class facility that will link two existing or planned regional trails, will provide much improved access to Swan Island jobs and offer a walk/jog/bike loop via Swan Island and Willamette Blvd for area residents and employees.

The application process for these grants was incredibly competitive, with projects from all over the state in the running for a fairly small pot...$7Million or so.  Critical to our success was support from Swan Island businesses, especially UPS, adidasAmerica and the U.S. Coast Guard.   Many individuals as well wrote cards and letters in support of this project.

For more information, project details, maps, etc., contact the Swan Island TMA, 503-745-6563 or via email at sitma@teleport.com

 

N/NE PDX TNT...Trip Not Taken

The biggest transportation decision we make is where we choose to live and where we work!

Helping Portlanders live closer to where they work…what are the benefits?

  • Reducing employee commute times
  • Expanding commute options
  • Reducing commute stress…get to work ready to work
  • Increasing exercise opportunities and personal health
  • Reducing regional VMT (Vehicle Miles Traveled)
  • Building better communities in North/Northeast Portland

What are we doing?

  • Helping Swan Island employees Discover North/Northeast Portland…providing Swan Island employees with information about home ownership, shopping, dinning & entertainment opportunities in North/Northeast Portland’s neighborhoods.
  • Helping North/Northeast Portland residents Discover Swan Island…providing North/Northeast Portland residents with information about employment, career, and recreational opportunities on Swan Island

go to www.historicn-nepdxtoday.org to learn more.



 

 

  
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