Commission approves ODOT letter extending temporary construction easements for I‑205 Abernathy Bridge after heated debate

The Oregon City Commission voted May 20 to approve a letter of agreement with the Oregon Department of Transportation that extends temporary construction areas in two Oregon City parks needed to complete the I‑205 Abernathy Bridge widening project.

City Manager Tony Conkl told the commission that the proposed agreement sets out quarterly check‑ins with adjacent businesses, quarterly project updates to the commission and clearer delineation of park areas left open to the public. Conkl said ODOT has completed appraisals for the five‑year temporary easement extensions and staff is reviewing the numbers; for the two parcels the city-reviewed appraisals total about $305,000.

“ODOT has responded to the questions we raised and transformed that into a letter of agreement so both parties can sign,” Conkl said during the presentation.

ODOT project staff described construction progress and why the city easements were needed. Fidal Francis, ODOT area manager, said substructure work is complete and the current focus is on widening the bridge deck and superstructure. “Most of the work now is on the westland side,” Francis said, describing girder erection, deck work and upcoming soil stabilization and cleanup phases.

Several business owners urged stronger mitigation and faster work schedules. Sam, who operates programming at Sportcraft, said construction noise and intermittent ramp closures have disrupted classes and events: “When we had 30 students in at Sportcraft on May 1, the jackhammering on the Westland side was so loud you could barely even hear anybody inside.” Eric Dy, owner of Sportcraft Marina, told the commission his business is down roughly 30% in recent years and said he was skeptical of the contractor’s proposed May 2027 river‑work completion date.

Commissioners pressed ODOT on timelines, what constitutes the project’s most disruptive activities and whether a shorter initial agreement (for example, one year with milestones) might be more appropriate than a five‑year easement. ODOT responded that appraisals and right‑of‑way processes are tied to the five‑year scope, but staff said they would continue to push for milestone‑based check‑ins and had advanced the city’s right‑of‑way parcel for earlier review.

Despite repeated expressions of frustration from commissioners and business owners, the commission approved the letter of agreement. Commissioner Mitchell said he was a reluctant supporter, noting the city’s limited leverage: “I’m not happy about this, but it’s going to happen; I want it done and I want them out of the parks.” Commissioner Marl voiced the sharpest objections earlier in the discussion, citing the long timeline and arguing the city had been insufficiently involved in prior project decisions.

The vote authorizes the city to sign the letter of agreement with ODOT; staff said they will proceed with the appraisal paperwork and follow up with the commission on milestones and any proposed business‑relief measures.

Next steps: staff will finalize the appraisal paperwork tied to the temporary easements, and the commission directed staff to bring back proposed milestones and possible business relief options for further discussion at a work session.