Travelers frequenting Oregon 99 will need to plot a course around the Foots Creek Bridge starting the second week of April, as the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) embarks on a seismic retrofitting project. To make key structures more earthquake-resistant, the bridge is slated to be out of commission for around a month. The community is advised to seek alternative routes and remain vigilant for the safety of roadside workers.
Amidst this temporary closure, ODOT is offering some solace for pedestrians and cyclists with the provision of a pedestrian transport vehicle (PTV). The PTV, intended to shepherd those on foot or two wheels across the expanse where the bridge now stands, can handle at least 2 ADA passengers and up to 10 able-bodied pedestrians, as well as 3 bicycles on a dedicated rack, according to a statement obtained by ODOT. It's a gesture toward continuity in a landscape briefly disrupted.
This bridge retrofit is part of a larger initiative by ODOT to overhaul the aging infrastructure within the region. Specifically, it targets the retrofitting of bridges at Birdseye Creek, Foots Creek, and Millers Gulch. It’s a plan set against the ever-looming threat of seismic upheaval, where the soil itself could one day undulate like a provoked serpent. Those in the logistics and planning offices of ODOT, with this project, aim to blunt the teeth of such potential natural ferocity.
Commencement of this ambitious overhaul began some time ago, back in November 2023, with a wrap-up initially charted for June 2025. Residents, perhaps hoping for swift passage over the familiar creeks and gulches once the project concludes, can stay updated on the progress of the construction and any traffic updates by continuing to monitor ODOT communications. Always attentive to the rhythms of commuter and local needs, these retrofit projects are a testament to ODOT’s commitment to public safety and infrastructure reliability, per ODOT's announcement.
