Commuters and residents in the Oregon 99 area should prepare for detours due to the closure of Foots Creek Bridge. The bridge is set to temporarily shut down starting the week of October 21, for about a week, as announced by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). This closure is part of ODOT’s ongoing seismic retrofit efforts aimed at strengthening the bridge's resilience against earthquakes. Travelers are advised to seek alternate routes and to be vigilant of the workers on-site.
The impending closure is a segment of a larger project that targets three critical structures along Oregon 99—the Birdseye Creek, Foots Creek, and Millers Gulch bridges. The project's focus is to reinforce these structures to withstand potential seismic activities. During the Foots Creek Bridge closure, the ODOT has made arrangements for a pedestrian transport vehicle (PTV) that will aim to ease the burden for those needing to cross the bridge on foot. The PTV can accommodate at least 2 ADA passengers, a maximum of 10 able-bodied pedestrians, and swiftly transport up to 3 bicycles with a secured rack.
This retrofit initiative represents a significant investment into the infrastructure’s longevity and safety. It started in November 2023 and is set to conclude by June 2025. These dates reflect the determined effort by the state to prioritize critical infrastructure amidst a growing awareness of the Pacific Northwest’s vulnerability to seismic events.
ODOT encourages the public to plan ahead and adjust their travel routines accordingly during the closure period. Details of the bridge renovations and the expected impact on traffic have been made available through ODOT’s official bulletin. The bulletin notes that the pedestrian transport vehicle is a temporary yet essential measure to ensure to still provide a passage for pedestrians and cyclists while the bridge is being fortified.
