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ODOT outlines phased retrofit, traffic impacts and emergency-access plan for Center Street Bridge
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Summary
ODOT presented a two‑phase seismic retrofit for the Center Street Bridge in Salem, with phase 1 focused on east-side/river spans and a phase 2 replacement likely for west-side ramps because of liquefiable soils; officials described schedules, estimated costs, construction impacts and emergency-response procedures for Polk County commissioners.
SALEM — Oregon Department of Transportation officials on Aug. 6 told the Polk County Board of Commissioners they have split the Center Street Bridge seismic project into two phases, will begin construction bidding next year and expect work to run through 2029–2030, while continuing design for the more complex west‑side replacement.
Andrew Walker, project manager for the Center Street Bridge project, said the split reflects different subsurface conditions: phase 1 will address the east side and river spans with traditional seismic retrofits, while the west‑side transition sits on liquefiable soils that likely require full replacement of one or more ramps. "We opted to split it into 2 phases," Walker said, and on the west bank "we have to completely replace this in order to make it seismically adequate." He added the design for phase 2 is not complete.
Why it matters: the bridge carries vehicle traffic and a critical water transmission line to West Salem. ODOT and the City of Salem plan to upgrade a 24‑inch water main on the bridge to a 36‑inch seismically resilient crossing as part of phase 1 so West Salem will have a strengthened water supply after that work is finished.
Scope, schedule and cost estimates: ODOT told the commissioners it expects to advertise the project for bid early next year, start major construction in 2026 and complete bulk work in 2029–mid 2030 depending on contractor methods. Walker and another ODOT presenter said rough order‑of‑magnitude planning estimates place each major phase in the ballpark of $200 million; Walker said, "those numbers develop as you design," noting earlier estimates in the statute were much smaller. ODOT described bonding and federal coordination with FHWA as part of a funding plan.
Construction impacts and traffic controls: ODOT said the work will require staged lane closures, ramp closures and periodic full closures. Planned lane‑closure stages could require closing the north two lanes and then the south two lanes of the bridge for up to three months per stage; contractors will be required to use extended work hours and may face liquidated damages tied to queuing. The team also described up to four full overnight closures (about 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.) for deck work, and up to 20 short, full closures of up to 20 minutes for certain operations.
Emergency access and response procedures: Commissioners and local emergency officials pressed ODOT on ambulance, fire and police access. ODOT said it met with Salem Health and multiple emergency providers and will continue that coordination. Planned measures include a dedicated emergency pass lane inside some closures, clearing and maintaining shoulders for ambulance use, contraflow routing on Marion Street during overnight full closures and a staffed radio point of contact tied to the Willamette Valley Communication Center. ODOT showed specification language and told the board it would provide the presentation and follow‑up documentation in writing.
On the railroad bridge alternative: Commissioners asked whether the nearby Union Street (rail) bridge could serve as an emergency detour. ODOT said it considered the option but that the city traffic engineer and project team do not support it for regular emergency use because of vertical‑clearance, weight and approach limitations and because the operational coordination would generally take longer than ODOT's proposed emergency procedures. "We think our alternative will get vehicles across faster," an ODOT presenter said.
Remaining questions and next steps: Commissioners pressed for written documentation of the emergency‑vehicle plan and asked ODOT to continue regular meetings with first responders during construction. ODOT said phase 2 will be studied in parallel with phase 1 construction and that further design and a refined cost estimate for the west‑side replacement will follow as part of that study.
No formal action was taken by the Polk County Board of Commissioners on the project at the Aug. 6 meeting; the presentation was for information and Q&A.
