Center Street Bridge Seismic Retrofit Project

Thank you for joining us! We appreciate everyone taking the time to talk to us as we stopped at different businesses in the area, at the Salem Saturday Market, West Salem Roth's, in person and online open houses to learn more about how we're making the Center Street Bridge earthquake ready. We've talked with hundreds of you and have received more than 200 comments over the past couple of months! We look forward to engaging more with you as we finish design and prepare for construction in 2026.

Your questions answered Here are three of the most frequently asked questions:

What can I expect during construction starting next year?

Impacts may change as we continue working on the design. During the multiple years of construction, we may need:

• Periodic lane closures. 
• 24/7 two-lane closures on the bridge for up to four months. 
• Up to four evening full road closures to install bridge joints. We'll aim to schedule the closures for weekends. You can detour around the closure using OR 99W through Corvallis or Newberg. 
• One of the northbound lanes on Front Street to close for up to four months. 
• One lane of Water Street to close for several months at a time. 
• Periodic nighttime full Water Street closures to deliver materials and equipment to the work site.
• Ramp closures:
  • Eastbound traffic to the southbound Front Street ramp may close for up to two months.
  • Eastbound traffic to the northbound Front Street ramp may close for up to two months.
  • Northbound to westbound Marion Street ramp may close for up to two months.​​

What does earthquake ready mean and why is it important? 

​Making the Center Street Bridge earthquake ready means that after a Cascadia ​Subduction zone level earthquake​, the bridge will have a better chance to remain standing. 

The bridge is an essential route between the communities west of the Willamette River and critical services to the east. This work will help maintain this important connection after a catastrophic earthquake. ​​​

What is the purpose of the emergency response plan? 

​As part of this work we're developing an emergency response plan. This plan will outline the steps needed to reconnect the west side of the bridge after a major seismic event if it occurs before we address the ramps on the west side of the Willamette River. 

The goal of the plan is to quickly reconnect West Salem and surrounding areas to downtown in weeks or months instead of years, with two-way traffic on the Center Street Bridge.

We'll work with our partners at the city and counties as we create the plan.​

What's next?  We finished inspecting the bridge earlier this week. Next, we'll continue working on the design using the information we gathered. Later this year or early 2026, we'll have a better idea of what construction may look like – we'll share this information in an online open house!

Check out what we're building in and around your community! See what else is being constructed on the roads around your community by visiting our webpage. Explore our interactive map to see what we're working on!

Pay attention in the work zone, slow down and move over – imagine this is where you work! Always drive safely, watch for construction signs and workers.  Remember that fines double in all Oregon work zones, whether workers and signs are present or not.

Don't keep this a secret – help us spread the word! Share this email with your friends, family and neighbors so they can also get connected and sign up to receive email updates to learn about the work we're doing.

About Bridge Funding and Replacement

Our funding to maintain, preserve and replace bridges is limited by the structural revenue issue our agency faces. At the rate we're currently replacing bridges, it would take us almost 900 years to replace all of the bridges on the state highway network.

We will not allow Oregonians to travel on unsafe bridges, but as bridges age it will steadily cost more to maintain them. Over time these bridges will face weight restrictions and eventual closure without timely replacement.

Translation/Interpretation Accommodations

For ADA Title II or Civil Rights Title VI accommodations, alternate formats, translation/interpretation services or for additional information call TTY (800) 735-2900 or use the statewide Oregon Relay Service: 7-1-1.

Si desea obtener información sobre este proyecto traducida al español, sírvase llamar al TTY (800) 735-2900.

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