Highways, Bridges and Railroads - It's complicated

From ODOT-

The Willamette River Bridge is ODOT’s largest bridge replacement project and one of the most complex, given neighboring natural areas, pedestrian paths and local vehicle traffic. For example, the bridge from the north to the south crosses the Canoe Canal, local walking and bike paths, the river,

Removing an old freeway bridge and building a new one over an active railroad requires close coordination with Union Pacific, a privately owned company. Extensive plans, including timing of events, construction and demolition details and potential risks, were submitted and approved in advance by the railroad company. Movement back and forth across the railroad and its 25-foot buffer zone is only allowed when a railroad company flagger is on the site. In addition, overhead work is timed to minimize any risk to passing trains.

Franklin Boulevard and the Union Pacific Railroad tracks.

When completed, the bridge over the tracks will include special roadside fencing to protect the trains and tracks below from falling objects.

Work begins late this year to demolish the temporary bridge and construct the new northbound bridge. Close coordination with the railroad will be a key focus then, as well.