After several months of closures that have tested the resilience of Corbett and the East County communities, Multnomah County celebrated the reopening of the Stark Street Bridge. The vital artery, a crucial connector for residents and those visiting scenic locales was shuttered due to a partial collapse of its supporting structure. The county officials offered their thanks for the community's patience throughout the arduous period. "The Stark Street Bridge serves as a critical connection for East County residents and access for those visiting our scenic areas," Multnomah County District 4 Commissioner Vince Jones-Dixon expressed gratitude, in a statement made by Multnomah County News.
The emergency repair project, costing an estimated $1.9 million, not only came in under budget but was also completed on schedule thanks to brisk cooperation between various agencies. Sara Jeffrey, Multnomah County Project Manager, commended the swift action taken, "Due to the emergency nature of the project, permitting processes which typically take over a year were accelerated," she told Multnomah County News. Oregon Department of Transportation, the State Historic Preservation Office, the U.S. Forest Service, and other impacted utilities were recognized for their collaboration in this undertaking.
The public is invited to participate in an upcoming celebration on Monday, March 10, from 12:45 p.m. to 1:45 p.m., marking the efforts that went into the emergency repair work of the north bridge approach that crumbled last September. The event will commence on the southeast side of the bridge, moving toward the northwest side, with anticipated speakers including Sara Jeffrey and Commissioner Vince Jones-Dixon, along with community member Victoria Purvine.
The history behind the closure traces back to a series of crashes involving vehicles and large trucks over the past decade, which left the bridge's supporting wall weakened. This insight was revealed during the bridge's closure, which also unveiled further structural concerns, such as 6 to 8-inch holes in the deck and a threateningly unstable retaining wall. Goodfellow Brothers, Inc., alongside its subcontractors, rose to the occasion, working through winter's challenge to safely restore the bridge, as noted by Multnomah County News.
