The Oregon Department of Transportation is preparing to launch a major Seismic Retrofit Project next spring to strengthen Salem’s Center Street Bridge against earthquakes. As part of the work, crews will replace and upgrade the city’s waterline and fiber-optic line attached to the bridge, creating the only earthquake-resilient waterline crossing this stretch of the Willamette River.
At its December 1 meeting, the Salem City Council approved an update to its cooperative agreement with ODOT, outlining a revised payment schedule for the city’s $7 million share of the project. Councilors also received a detailed presentation on upcoming construction impacts.
The four-year project will include nighttime full closures, extended lane restrictions, and a detour routing traffic south on OR 99W through Independence to OR 34. Additional details, including park and parking impacts, are available in the project presentation, staff report, and on the city’s transportation project webpage.
