Winter Weather Challenges

From ODOT-

Weather can impact bridge construction and winter weather is no different. Similar to extreme heat, our cold and wet weather can create conditions that impact the work schedule and bring new safety challenges to the project site.

While I am always concerned with the safety of our crews, I am also concerned about the impact of winter weather and keeping the public safe while passing through the work zone. When the forecast calls for snow and ice, I turn my attention to potentially icy paths and roadways and low visibility conditions throughout the project site.

Preparation for winter begins in the fall. Signs, barrels and other devices are cleaned to improve their reflectivity and roadways are restriped. Drainage systems are cleaned in expectation of heavy rainfall. Our project’s success depends on a team that is well prepared and ready to react when the conditions changes.

Whether you are driving, cycling or walking, remember to slow down when the weather conditions are less than ideal.

Bike barriers installed to enhance walk along the river

From ODOT

Before construction started on the Willamette River Bridge, the local Citizen Planning Committee for the Whilamut Natural Area of Alton Baker Park was working with the Willamalane Park and Recreation District to address pedestrian safety issues on the Riverside Trail. On the north side of the Willamette River, the trail starts near the Aspen Street boat ramp and connects to the Walnut Road Path just before it passes under Interstate 5.

The Riverside Trail is ideal for a leisurely walk, but it is not suitable for biking due to its narrow, winding, bumpy terrain. Park planners hoped that by diverting bike traffic to more direct routes, the riverside path would become a pedestrian-only trail. Unfortunately, bike traffic continued to use the path, even after it was realigned and signage was posted.

To resolve the safety issues, the Oregon Department of Transportation agreed to design and install a pair of off-set bike gates that prohibit bike traffic but allow access to people with physical disabilities. These gates, called chicanes, were installed in January 2012.

This is just one way ODOT works with the Willamalane Park and Recreation District to enhance the park and mitigate the impacts of replacing the Willamette River Bridge.

New bike diversion gates have been installed at the western end of Riverside Trail in Eastgate Woodlands part of the Whilamut Natural Area.

Signs installed beside the bike diversion gates reinforce the prohibition of bicyclists from using this trail.

No Climbing of the Arches

From ODOT-

The graceful appearance of the arches on the new southbound Willamette River Bridge is in stark contrast to the multiple columns still remaining from the detour bridge. The remaining columns will be removed during demolition of the detour bridge, scheduled to begin in October. Then, the advantage of the single touchdown point of the arches in the river will become more recognizable.

The arch design decreases the impact of multiple bridge columns on the river environment, but creates a new safety issue. The old bridge’s support columns were vertical, smooth and almost impossible for a person to scale. The gentle slope of the new arches now provides an inviting temptation for daredevils to climb over the river from either bank.

When passing by the new bridge on the nearby paths, you might notice what we have done to discourage climbing on the arches. Our contractor crews built tall walls between the arch and the adjacent spandrel column to block access. In addition, crews poured a lid on top of each wall to prevent debris from falling into the enclosure created by the walls.

The design of the walls included the use of concrete form liners and are an added enhancement which is intended to blend with the bridge but still provide needed function.

We hope you enjoy the new bridge and the improvements to the surrounding area while respecting these steps taken to ensure everyone’s safety.

Workers built a special anti-access wall to prevent daredevils from climbing the new Willamette River Bridge arches.

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.