The Sellwood Bridge project assumes the
streetcar will be adopted, and the streetcar has
been accommodated in the project design. -- FEIS at 3-7.

I also noticed at a glance so far that Chapter 3 is entitled "Existing Environment,
Anticipated Impacts, and Mitigation" -- oops, no mention of "Avoidance".

Go by shortcut!

Required if they hope to get federal funds. Doesn't imply (or permit) any progress in building or design.

I know, why dont we just build a streetcar track that goes over the sellwood bridge. We can then make car crossing illegal. Win/Win.

Wow. That is a really good report. I don't know how you feel about the process, Jack, but if you compare what they have accomplished in a relatively short amount of time, it is damn impressive. Compare this process to the CRC!

They had to keep within a budget target, which they did.
They had to balance local interests vs. commuter interests, and across two counties, which they seem to have done.
They had substantial design and environmental hurdles.

And they have proposed something that keeps the existing crossing intact during construction, satisfies those who want more auto and freight capacity, those who want to allow for potential future rail / streetcar, and those who want ped and bike access.

Now the tough part begins, finding the 300m in funding.

They had to keep within a budget target, which they did.

Actually, no--it's already over the target.

They had to balance local interests vs. commuter interests, and across two counties, which they seem to have done.

There are no "commuter interests" called out here per se. "Local" interests are largely absent.

They had substantial design and environmental hurdles.

No, not really. There have been several alternatives proposed that are economical, practical, and don't require near the amount of process that this has entailed. They haven't been seriously considered because they don't originate with the right people, and get the money from the right places.

And they have proposed something that keeps the existing crossing intact during construction,

that's a common requirement for almost any bridge in this type of context.

satisfies those who want more auto and freight capacity,

There is no meaningful increase in auto and freight capacity, really. Do you mean load capacity? Of course--that's technical upgrade that's required.

those who want to allow for potential future rail / streetcar, and those who want ped and bike access.

You're confusing an EIS with a plan or design. The EIS is a "due diligence" kind of activity. It considers the impacts of all potential called out alternatives. And, the next step is not "find funding".

what they have accomplished in a relatively short amount of time, it is damn impressive.

Too funny. Thanks for the howls.

Thanks for the howls is right. I've been getting emails and invites to participate in the Sellwood bridge stuff for a couple of years.... Another speedy moment from local govt.

If you let me close the existing Sellwood Bridge, I could replace it with a similar structure on the same alignment (with double the traffic lanes, and two bike lanes) in less than 6 months for less than $100 million. No trolleys, no public relations contracts, and no kickbacks.

I would even include a coupling that can be replaced as the bedrock moves.

And if you think the CoP will go for that offer I have a bridge to sell you...

Wait...

Nevermind.