The Sellwood Bridge is creeping closer to opening… latest projections have traffic moving on the NEW bridge in Jan-Feb of 2016. After the new bridge opens there’s still some finishing touches to be done (like the removal of the old bridge) but the project should be completely, ultimately, fully finished by November 2016. Unless it isn’t. As always, we’ll keep you posted.
In the meantime, there’s a big traffic change coming in a couple weeks. From the Sellwood Bridge website…
“The contractor is preparing for a major traffic change in early November, when the northbound lane of Hwy. 43 will shift onto the new interchange ramps and the southbound through lane will be routed under the new bridge (see diagram and article on project website). Shifting the traffic will create space for the contractor to build the second through lane under the bridge. In the new stage, southbound traffic will use the right lane (not the left lane used now) to access the bridge. Watch for road signs and email updates about this traffic change tentatively planned for Nov. 7-8″.
TRAFFIC ALERTS
- The outside northbound lane of Hwy 43 lane will be closed near the driveway to Macadam Bay and Freeman Motors from 9 am to 4 pm on weekdays from Oct. 19-28 during work to relocate a water line.
- Concrete truck deliveries will add to morning congestion on Hwy. 43 on Tuesday, Oct. 20 and Friday, Oct. 23.
- Later this month several parking spaces on the south side of SE Spokane St. between SE Oaks Park Way and the driveway to Riverpark condominiums will need to be closed temporarily during installation of a storm drain
Throughout the construction we’ve 
been mystified by the coming west side interchange, but the County had some wonderful images and videos that finally made it clear. Mostly. Anyway, the pic at top shows you a still view of the traffic pattern, and the pic at bottom is a full animation of the traffic patterns throughout the project. Well worth a watch!
As always, Multnomah County maintains the definitive website on everything related to the Sellwood Bridge Replacement project, www.sellwoodbridge.org. Construction and closure alerts, archived information, and other resources are all available 24/7 for your convenience. If you’re looking for something that’s not on the website, you can contact Mike Pullen (mike.j.pullen@multco.us, 503-209-4111) or visit www.sellwoodbridge.org.
