Center Street Bridge project moving forward
Summary
ODOT's retrofit of the Center Street Bridge starts late 2026 and runs through 2030, with two full nighttime weekend bridge closures and six months of two-lane closures expected around 2029–2030. Councilors pressed ODOT on how detoured traffic will hit the Independence Bridge and downtown businesses, and ODOT promised coordination. Until Phase 2 (roughly 2033–2036), the west approach stays vulnerable in a major quake.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 2
- Last 30 days
- 0
Last discussed Jul 14, 2026.
Impact analysis
Construction will disrupt local businesses and commuters for years, though the bridge will be quake-resilient afterward.
Everyone who depends on the bridge gains earthquake resilience, plus a rebuilt parking lot and replaced trees in the park.
Commuters and local businesses near the Independence Bridge will absorb detour traffic during the closure years.
Mentions & discussions (2)
City Council - Jul 14, 2026
ODOT's retrofit of the Center Street Bridge starts late 2026 and runs through 2030, with two full nighttime weekend bridge closures and six months of two-lane closures expected around 2029–2030. Councilors pressed ODOT on how detoured traffic will hit the Independence Bridge and downtown businesses, and ODOT promised coordination. Until Phase 2 (roughly 2033–2036), the west approach stays vulnerable in a major quake.
City Council - May 12, 2026
ODOT confirmed the Center Street Bridge project will proceed; staff will present timing and closure details at a future meeting.
We'll email you when it's on an upcoming agenda and when it's voted on, at most once a day.
The weekly brief for Independence
What the council decided, in plain English — one email a week.
Free. Unsubscribe with one click any time. We never sell your email.