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Preferred Alternative

From January to May 2007 the Sellwood Bridge team (including the Community Task Force (CTF) and the Policy Advisory Group) developed preliminary concepts, added additional concepts suggested by the public, reviewed concepts to make sure they met the minimum requirements for the project, eliminated concepts, and selected a broad range of alternatives for further evaluation.

In December 2007, the Policy Advisory Group (PAG) approved five Build Alternatives to be studied further.

In November 2008, the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Draft EIS) was released to the public. Formal comments on the document were collected through December 22, 2008. The comments were given to the CTF and PAG, to help them select a Preferred Alternative.

In February 2009, the PAG selected a Preferred Alternative, based on the recommendations of the public and the CTF.

Key features of the Preferred Alternative (This alternative was originally called Alternative D)
  • To be built in its current alignment and widened 15 feet to the south to allow for continuous traffic flow during construction
  • A cross-section of 64 feet at its narrowest point: two 12-foot travel lanes, two 12-foot shared use sidewalks, and two 6.5-foot bike lanes/emergency shoulders
  • A grade-separated and signalized interchange at the OR 43 (SW Macadam Avenue) intersection on the west end
  • A pedestrian-activated signal at the intersection of SE Tacoma Street and SE 6th Avenue on the east end
  • Consistent with the Tacoma Main Street Plan
  • Restores buses and trucks; accommodates possible future streetcar
Over the summer of 2009, additional refinements were made to the Preferred Alternative based on agency and resident/business feedback. Design refinements include:
  • Bridge cross-section has been narrowed from five lanes to four lanes at the OR 43 interchange on the west end
  • Bicycle/pedestrian facilities on the west end have been improved. The spiral ramps have been replaced by single, long switchback ramps on the north and south sides of the bridge
  • Access refinements have occurred based on meetings/discussions with west side property owners
  • Measures have been explored to mitigate impacts to parks and historic and natural resources
The three bridge types that will be studied in the next phase of the project:
Moderately priced Bridge Type: Delta Frame and Concrete Box Girder
Higher-priced Bridge Type: Deck Arch
Click on the picture below to see a larger PDF version.
The preferred alternative.

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