County sets meeting on 223rd underpass

The Gresham Outlook, Dec 11, 2009

Multnomah County Transportation staff will update the public on the Northeast 223rd road widening and railroad bridge replacement in Fairview at an open house at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16, at Fairview Community Center, 300 Harrison St.

The $7 million project on Northeast 223rd Avenue near Interstate 84 began in early 2009 and has closed Fairview Avenue between Bridge Road and Sandy Boulevard.

The reopening of 223rd Avenue has been delayed until near the end of the project, primarily due to coordination difficulties. The road is expected to reopen in late April 2010. Replacing the active railroad bridge requires a sequence of tasks that need to be completed by different parties, including a specialized railroad crew that is not based in Oregon. In addition, unusually cold weather has slowed progress.

At the open house, project staff will provide an update on work that has been completed, work that remains, and the schedule. The public will have a chance to ask questions.

Prior to the project, 223rd Avenue narrowed to 20 feet as it passed under the Union Pacific railroad bridge. Replacing the bridge with a longer structure will allow the road to be widened, making room for sidewalks, bicycle lanes and wider traffic lanes. The completed project will improve safety for all modes of traffic.

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