The Fix is On! Barbara Walker Crossing Update + Cool New T-Shirts

bwc bridge close-up.jpeg

We all are anticipating the reopening of the Barbara Walker Crossing. Here’s an update:

  • The good news: the bridge was not structurally damaged when the violent January 13 storm caused a landslide and a large tree to fall on the bridge. 

  • The be-patient news: the necessary repairs to the damage done by both the tree and landslide can’t happen until April. May 1 is the target for reopening.

  • While you wait: consider getting our new Barbara Walker Crossing T-shirt!

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Why so long? 

Things were on track for a mid-March reopening. Then the ice storm hit sending trees, powerlines, and Internet cables falling all over the city. City maintenance crews prioritized getting broken trees out of the street and safely restoring electricity and connections for Portlanders. 

Repairing the Crossing requires shutting down West Burnside. That has to be planned well in advance and for a weekend. But the delay is also allowing PPF and its team to get some nagging final finish work done.  

When will it open? 

If all goes as planned, the Crossing will open by May 1! 

What about the t-shirts? 

PPF’s good friend and supporter Ian Walker — whose trails-advocate mom the bridge is named for — put together the design and printing. All proceeds benefit PPF so that we can do more projects across the city. Thank you, Ian!

Need more details?

Lastly, for those who like to go a little deeper on info, some details about the bridge’s damage analysis and repair plan. 

Heavy rain and windstorms caused a lot damage across the city, including flooding and a landslide at Forest Park, on Wednesday, January 13. The landslide brought down trees, power lines and hundreds of yards of debris onto W Burnside Ave near the Wildwood Trail. One large tree fell against the Barbara Walker bridge and it took substantial effort from Portland Parks & Recreation’s (PP&R) Urban Forestry, Professional Repair and Maintenance Services (PRMS), Capital and Land Stewardship staff, as well as Portland Bureau of Transportation’s (PBOT) special equipment to remove the tree without damaging the delicate railing and safety netting of the bridge. Upon removal of the tree, it was apparent that some parts of the bridge were damaged.

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Progress on bridge repair to date:

  • In the days following the storm, PP&R staff worked on cleaning debris from the site and provided temporary hillside stabilization. There were also minor repairs to secure the bridge railing so that W Burnside Ave could be re-opened. KPFF Engineers used a laser survey and x-ray study to assess the damage to the bridge structure and determined that it was not in danger of collapsing but does need repairs to welds on the structure and railings.

  • Original plans were to re-open the bridge for pedestrians in early March. However, the storm and power outages caused a shift in priorities for many City staff. We now have received the repair plan drawings from KPFF, and developed a PP&R team and a plan to move forward on the bridge repairs.

  • The PP&R team met on March 2 to finalize the bridge repair process, including the Burnside street closure, the permit for gate storage and trail blocking fencing, along-term landslide repair work plan, communications, and scheduling.

  • PP&R is working with PBOT to fast-track the street closure process using some of the traffic planning from the actual bridge construction. They will require a two-week notice ahead of the closure.

  • The PP&R team feels confident that the bridge repair and other work can be completed by May 1.