ODOT — NIBA

Portland Projects Interactive Map

Bridge Avenue Rockfall Mitigation: bit.ly/bridgeavenue

Q: What is the reasoning for closing all of Bridge Avenue, rather than closing one lane only? Considering the severity and cost of the traffic impacts, are there safety measures you could put in place to keep one lane open, such as a barrier or netting?

A: Primarily, the reason for this full closure is safety. It is an assumption that loose rocks will fall throughout construction, and a barrier along the road is not enough to keep road users safe. We also need both lanes for equipment. The work crew will drill rods (a minimum of 15’ long, perpendicular to the slope to anchor the wire mesh along the slope, in addition to other equipment.
Also, this project has a limited budget, which we are working to keep our costs within. We worked to balance the required expenses, the risks associated with falling rock and equipment during construction, and the space needed by the crew to do the required work with safety as the primary concern. The work will provide immense safety benefits to all who use this public roadway and sidewalk, when the project is completed.

Q: Does the contract offer a reward for finishing early? That seems to motivate contractors more than the fine for late work, so the work is completed on time.

A: : This project has a limited budget, which we are working to keep our costs within. The traffic impacts of this project are not as high as the example we discussed in your meeting, the Interstate Bridge Trunnion Replacement Project, and we did not include reward specifications in the contract.

Q: Why are you starting the project in January when the daylight window is so short? Could you start in April with longer daylight, 1.5 work crews and shrink the work/closure window?

A: The traffic volumes are consistently lower during the winter, and peak at their highest in the summer season. This work window avoids many travel needs, such as the high summer traffic volumes, the many winter and summer holidays and events, and fall for those visiting the peak harvest season on Sauvie Island.
Also, contractors are facing a shortage of skilled workers, who prefer full time jobs. Finding part time skilled labor to do this specialty work is very challenging.

A: Here is a link with some project information. I will loop back this winter with our community affairs project page.

A: We are installing Biopods, an engineered system that removes materials that don’t belong in our water, including fine sediment, nutrients, petroleum hydrocarbons and dissolved metals.

St Johns Bridge Repair: bit.ly/stjohnsbridgerepair

Culvert Rehabilitation: bit.ly/us30culverts