THE BRIDGE IS NOW OPEN TO ALL TRAFFIC. Thank you for your patience over the past several years. We hope you enjoy the new bridge.

Project Background

The 122nd Avenue Bridge was damaged by heavy rains during winter storms in December 2015 and was closed to motor vehicles until a replacement bridge could be built.

“Public safety is our top priority and in this case to keep the public safe we need to limit access to the bridge until it can be replaced,” Portland Transportation Director Leah Treat said at the time. “We understand a closure of this magnitude will be an inconvenience for the traveling public, and we will work to minimize the inconvenience in the coming weeks and during the construction period. We have made this decision after carefully considering the need for public safety. We’re thankful for funding recently approved by the state.”

Beginning in January 2016, PBOT crews worked to stabilize the bridge site to limit the risk of further deterioration. In March of 2016, a committee of the Oregon Department of Transportation and local agencies allocated $3.15 million in Federal Highway Bridge Funds for replacement of the 122nd Avenue Bridge. The federal funds required a local match of approximately $350,000, which PBOT provided using general transportation revenue, which is mainly funded by parking revenue and the City’s share of state gas tax.

Local access was maintained south of SE Foster Road and North of SE Flavel for residents and businesses. Access to the Leach Botanical Garden, a major destination in the area that is located next to the bridge, was also be maintained.

“Spring begins our busy season at Leach Botanical Garden, with weddings and events as well as casual visitors coming to enjoy the peace and beauty,” said David Porter, executive director of Leach Garden Friends, a non-profit that operates the garden for Portland Parks & Recreation. “We want people to know that our parking lot is open as normal and can be reached from the south via Flavel Street.”

The garden’s parking lot provides 32 spaces for visitors and is available south of the bridge. Visitors can walk across the bridge to reach the garden’s main entrance, just north of the bridge. A map with directions to the garden and the parking lot is available at the garden’s web site: www.leachgarden.org 

If you have additional questions, please contact Cameron Glasgow @ (503) 823-9726.