PETER COURTNEY MINTO ISLAND
BICYCLE & PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Background
The City of Salem, Salem’s Urban Renewal Agency (Agency), and
many community and state partners have been working toward a
long-standing vision of connecting three major urban parks, and
more than 20 miles of trails via two pedestrian bridges over the
Willamette River. In 2009, part of this goal was realized with the
renovation of the historic Union Street Railroad Bridge, connecting
West Salem’s Wallace Marine Park with downtown’s Riverfront
Park. Completion of the Peter Courtney Minto Island Bicycle and
Pedestrian Bridge (Bridge) and adjoining multimodal trail (Trail) is
the last critical link. Two recent City purchases strengthen these
efforts, including 307 acres on the northern tip of Minto Island and
approximately 4 acres of the former Boise site, adjacent to
Riverfront Park.
What is the scope of the project?
On March 23, 2009, the City Council approved a tied arch bridge
concept with a 14-foot wide deck which provides a low profile, 300
foot long clear span of the Willamette Slough. The design assumes
connecting with the existing paved path in Riverfront Park, adjacent
to the Eco Earth ball. The planned connection on Minto Island will
land adjacent to the existing gravel service road and follow that
alignment to the existing paved path approximately 3,800 linear
feet south in Minto Brown Island Park.
What four conceptual design options did Council consider?
In 2008, OBEC completed a bridge concept study which evaluated
11 design types and resulted in four recommended options. On
March 23, 2009, Council reviewed the recommended design
options. Two of the bridge design options showed a higher
clearance - one with support piers in the water, and one spanning
across the Slough without piers in the water. Two of the design
options showed a lower clearance - one of which with support piers
in the water and one spanning across the Slough without piers in
the water. After review of public input, Council selected the clear
span or tied arch design option (no piers in the water) at a low
clearance.
What is the timeline for the project?
The first phase of Bridge and Trail design began in April 2012. In January 2014, the final funding for the project
was committed. In March 2014, the project reached 100 percent design and the final phase of environmental
permitting. In December 2014, the City recommended that a project construction contract be issued to Legacy
Contracting of Stayton, Oregon. Construction activity began in April 2015 and will likely continue until early
2017. Construction updates will be posted regularly in Riverfront Park and Minto Brown Island Park and to the
project website at www.cityofsalem.net/mintobridge.
September 27, 2016
How much will the project cost and what funds will be used to support it?
Funding for design, permitting, and construction of the Bridge and Trail and connecting trails in Minto Brown
Park and Riverfront Park totals approximately $10,000,000. Funds committed to the project include state and
federal grants and resources from the South Waterfront and Riverfront-Downtown Urban Renewal Areas.
State Grants
 Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) grants (Transportation Alternatives Program and the
Statewide Transportation Improvement Program) totaling approximately $2,500,000
 Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) Local Government Grant totaling $750,000
 Business Oregon Brownfields Redevelopment Fund grant totaling approximately $50,000
Regional Grants
 Salem Keizer Transportation Area Study (SKATS) grant of $500,000
Urban Renewal Area Funds
 Approximately $200,000 from the South Waterfront Urban Renewal Area (for the Trail)
 Approximately $6,000,000 from the Riverfront Downtown Urban Renewal Area (for the Bridge)
Community Support
 A local non-profit, the Friends of Two Bridges, has begun raising private donations for Trail
enhancements, including signage, seating areas, and bike racks.
What important factors are contributing to the overall project cost?
Crossing the Willamette Slough carries additional challenges that add cost, including environmental permitting
and limited construction access. The overall project includes construction of approximately 5,000 feet of paved
surface, including connecting trails in Riverfront Park and on Minto Island.
I am concerned about flooding of the Bridge and Trail. How is this being addressed in the design?
Bridge - The tied arch bridge concept assumes constructing a bridge one foot above the 100-year flood
elevation, so flooding is not expected except in significant storm events exceeding 100-year flood event
conditions. The bridge and bridge landings are being designed to guard against damage from erosion during
flood events. Increasing the height of the bridge increases the length of the bridge and cost of construction,
without an identified benefit. Managing the costs to maximize value is a key objective in the delivery of the
project.
Trail -The Trail will be located on the top of an existing berm on Minto Island. The edges of the paved Trail
surface will be thickened, reducing the likelihood that flood flows will damage the Trail. The area of the planned
Trail remained above high water in the January 2012 flood event. Connecting trails in Minto Brown Island Park
do flood, but alternate routes located above the 100-year flood elevation are available.
Where can I obtain additional information?
For more information, please visit: www.cityofsalem.net/mintobridge or contact Project Manager, Aaron Kimsey
at 503-588-6211 or [email protected]. From the project website, individuals can sign up to receive
regular construction updates via email.
Si necesita ayuda para comprender esta información, por favor llame 503-588-6178.
September 27, 2016