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Residents urge action on closed Seabird bridge, city says state timetable delays full replacement
Summary
Residents told the board the closed Seabird bridge has blocked emergency access and turned into a nuisance; city staff said a state feasibility study requires full replacement, RDOT will not reimburse demolition or a temporary crossing, and construction likely won’t begin until December 2027.
Sean Taylor, a long-time Eastside resident, told the board the Seabird bridge has been closed for about two years and that accumulated dirt piles and restricted crossing are a public-safety problem. "If an ambulance gotta get around, they gotta go Charles or back around East Side Drive…minutes make a difference in life," Taylor said during citizens communication time.
City staff said the city secured an RDOT grant for a full replacement but RDOT required and completed a feasibility study that recommended full replacement rather than a temporary fix. Staff told the board that RDOT would not reimburse the city for demolishing the existing structure and installing a temporary crossing, leaving the city to consider paying demolition costs itself. A staff member said RDOT’s schedule likely delays construction until December 2027 and estimated the project at about $500,000.
Board members and staff acknowledged the urgency during follow-up exchanges and said they will seek options to temporarily reopen access. Staff said the city is exploring renting equipment to demolish and install a temporary crossing while continuing to pursue grant funding, but they did not provide a final timeline. The board agreed to keep working on the issue and to report back when staff can identify concrete next steps or funding sources.
