Bridge troubles the waters

Backers say new I-405 crossing needed; foes see better uses for cash

By Jim Redden

The Portland Tribune, Apr 25, 2008, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (97 Reader comments)

L.E. BASKOW / TRIBUNE PHOTO

Afternoon traffic flows along Interstate 405. The City Council soon will vote on whether to move the old Sauvie Island Bridge to Northwest Flanders Street over I-405, despite the fact that four bridges already cross the freeway near there.

The idea of building a new pedestrian and bicycle bridge over Interstate 405 in Northwest Portland has turned into a fight over conflicting visions of the city’s future.

It is controversial because many other crossings already exist on both sides of the proposed location on Northwest Flanders Street. The other crossings include four bridges over I-405 and 11 streets that run under it.

In addition, the controversy is being heightened by the idea of using the old Sauvie Island Bridge, pushing the projected cost from $3.8 million to $5.5 million. The Sauvie Bridge will be removed later this year after the bridge Multnomah County is building to the island opens.

Advocates for the bridge – called the Flanders Street Crossing – argue that the existing crossings are either too unsafe or inconvenient for pedestrians and bicycle traffic, which are alternative forms of transportation considered essential to fighting climate change.

They also argue that reusing the old Sauvie Island Bridge will demonstrate Portland’s commitment to recycling and green technology.

“The bridge is a symbol of the commitment we’re willing to make to be a leader in the movement to build greener cities,” said Patricia Gardner, an architect who serves as the land-use committee chairwoman of the Pearl District Neighborhood Association.

Opponents – including Mayor Tom Potter – argue that the project is a luxury that will divert limited funds from more basic projects, such as filling potholes.

“Tom’s No. 1 concern is the city’s priorities,” said Potter press aide John Doussard. “These are the wrong priorities.”

The City Council appears poised to approve the project. A majority of the council – commissioners Sam Adams, Randy Leonard and Dan Saltzman – have submitted an ordinance authorizing the project that will be heard Wednesday. It caps the cost of acquiring and moving the bridge at $3.9 million.

The ordinance also puts the contract for installing the bridge over the freeway to be put out to bid. The final vote is scheduled for May 7.

Even if the council approves the project, however, the debate is likely to continue for months – if not years – to come. It has already become an issue in the mayor’s race because it is being championed by Adams and opposed by his major opponent, businessman Sho Dozono, who echoes Potter’s criticisms.

Despite the attacks, Adams is remaining firm in his support of the project, justifying it on numerous grounds, from increasing pedestrian and bicycle safety to historic preservation.

“I understand the risks of pushing this project forward while running for mayor, but I believe it is the right thing to do,” Adams said.

An idea gains momentum

According to Gardner, the idea of building a pedestrian and bicycle bridge over I-405 at Flanders first surfaced about six years ago. At that time, she was serving on an advisory committee trying to figure out how to make Burnside Street less of a barrier between downtown and the Pearl District.

The major thoroughfare between Northwest and Southwest Portland has long been considered dangerous for both bicyclists riding it and anyone trying to cross it.

One idea that quickly gained traction on the committee was giving bicyclists a safer way across I-405 – a route pedestrians could use, too. This idea was pursued even though three other bridges cross I-405 within five blocks of Burnside – at Northwest Couch, Everett and Glisan streets.

As Gardner sees it, none of these three bridges is any safer than Burnside. All have on or offramps to I-405 that cross the existing crosswalks and bicycle paths. In addition, the sidewalks on all four bridges are narrower than the current 10-foot city minimum standard. Some are only 2 feet wide.

“Everyone who crosses these bridges can tell you how dangerous they feel, especially at rush hours,” Gardner said.

The committee eventually chose Flanders Street for a new pedestrian and bicycle bridge, in part because it passes just north of the dense, mixed-use Brewery Blocks in the Pearl District.

Although every street from Johnson north to Thurman actually passes under I-405, Gardner argues that is a long detour for pedestrians and bicyclists trying to get closer to Burnside.

“What kind of a message does it send if bicyclists and pedestrians are expected to go blocks out of their way?” Gardner asked. “How does that encourage people to get out of their cars?”

The idea of the Flanders crossing was approved by the City Council in 2002 as part of the Burnside-Couch Couplet plan that could reduce traffic on Burnside through a variety of means, including turning a portion of Northwest Couch into a one-way street and running a Portland streetcar line on several blocks of both of them.

The committee originally recommended that the city build a 15-foot-wide concrete bridge over I-405 at Flanders. That is the maximum width for such a bridge allowed by the federal government over its freeways.

But then a few years ago, Multnomah County announced it would sell the old Sauvie Island Bridge as part of its project to build a new one.

“Some of us thought, ‘Wouldn’t that be cool if we could buy the bridge for $1 and move it to Flanders?’ ” Gardner said.

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