January 14, 2013

The next phase of construction on the Sellwood Bridge begins Saturday, Jan. 19, when contractors will move the span to make way for the replacement bridge.

The bridge will be closed as workers move the 1,100-foot truss span of the historic bridge 33 feet north at its east end and 66 feet north at the west end. The span will serve as a “shoofly,” or detour bridge, to minimize the impact of construction on local businesses and bridge users.

Weather permitting, the move is expected to take place over the course of 12 to 16 hours. The 3,400-ton structure will be lifted in one piece by hydraulic jacks and pushed on rails along steel beams that link the old piers with the new detour bridge piers.

In order to complete this intricate move, the Sellwood Bridge will be closed to motorists, pedestrians and cyclists from 5 a.m. on  Jan. 17 through 7 a.m. on Jan. 24.

This temporary detour bridge will be moved to accommodate the design of the permanent replacement bridge. Once the move and set up are complete, the detour bridge will stay in commission until the new Sellwood Bridge is open to traffic in the summer of 2015.
 

Related Links


Click here for FAQs on the detour bridge set up, as well as alternate routes during the Jan. 17-24 Sellwood Bridge closure.

Click here for details on the final design of the new Sellwood Bridge