Crews with the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) apply the final striping to mark the lanes on the North Going Street Bridge, restoring the span to six travel lanes. The North Going Street Bridge provides access to Swan Island, a key industrial area for the region. Photo by PBOT.
(May 19, 2022) Crews with the Portland Bureau of Transportation restriped the lanes on the North Going Street Bridge this week, restoring the three full travel lanes in each direction. The bridge had been limited to two travel lanes each direction for more than two years, after a Union Pacific Railroad derailment damaged columns that support the structure.
The derailment on Sept. 7, 2019 led PBOT to initially close the bridge to all traffic, and gradually reopen lanes. Since Sept. 15, 2019, three lanes were open, down from the normal six lanes. PBOT opened a fourth lane in November 2019 after completing temporary repairs.
For more than two years, PBOT and contractor Cascade Bridge LLC were in talks with Union Pacific about making arrangements for permanent bridge repairs that would open six total lanes. Tentative work dates in 2021 were cancelled because of snow storms and wildfires causing disruptions to the railroad.
In October, the contractor began work on permanent repairs to columns and other parts of the bridge that were damaged by the crash. Repairs continued off and on, as the crews making repairs needed freight rail operations to be halted for several days at a time to provide safe work zone access. The work was underneath the bridge deck, mostly away from public view.
Union Pacific will cover the city's costs for making the repairs.
Crews with the Portland Bureau of Transportation apply the final striping to mark the lanes on the North Going Street Bridge, restoring the span to six travel lanes. Photo by PBOT.
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The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is the steward of the City’s transportation system, and a community partner in shaping a livable city. We plan, build, manage and maintain an effective and safe transportation system that provides access and mobility. portland.gov/transportation