Project may close trail link for a year

TribTown • Neighbors worry about cutting off foot traffic during work on bridge

By Jim Redden

The Portland Tribune, Dec 31, 2007, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (4 Reader comments)

Champions of the city’s urban trails network are raising red flags about a coming Interstate 5 construction project that could close what they call a critical path for up to a year.

The project will reconstruct a freeway bridge over a deep ravine between George Himes Park and the Johns Landing area in Southwest Portland. It passes directly over a section of Urban Trail 3 that leads from the Willamette River to Barbur Boulevard.

The trail section is part of the so-called 40-Mile Loop that eventually will circle the city with walking and bicycle paths.

Although work on the project is not scheduled to begin until spring 2010, Hillsdale Neighborhood Association president Don Baack and other trail advocates already are urging the Oregon Department of Transportation to work with them to keep the trail beneath the bridge open.

“This is a crucial link for commuting and recreating,” said Baack, who also serves on SWTrails, a committee that helps plan and maintain walking and bicycle paths in Southwest Portland. “ODOT should talk with us about ways of keeping it open.”

1 | 2 Next Page >>

Facebook	Digg	Del.icio.us
Newsvine	Stumbleupon	Reddit