Minto Island Bridge Arches Begin Arriving in Salem

The tied arch bridge design is expected to be a beautiful addition to the Salem skyscape.

Arrival of the first arches. Photo by Ron Cooper

(SALEM, Ore.) - Early Monday morning, while most of the city was sleeping, one of two signature arches for the Peter Courtney Minto Island Bridge arrived in Downtown Salem.

The white arches, which are made from 1-inch thick steel and are 30-inches in diameter, will soon decorate Salem's Downtown Riverfront skyline.

When raised, the tallest point of the arch from the bridge deck will be 44-ft tall and span 327-ft measured along the arch from pier to pier.

In October 2010, the City Council approved a "tied arch" Bridge design following analysis of several design types and public input.

In 2012, OBEC was hired to oversee final design, engineering, and permitting of the Bridge and connecting trail on Minto Island.

In 2013, this project was strengthened by the City's acquisition of 307 additional acres of Minto Island where the Bridge will land. Funding for the acquisition came from a Bonneville Power Administration Program administered through the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The purchase expanded the City's Minto-Brown Island Park acreage by nearly 33 percent and increased opportunities for park patrons to access the Willamette River and view wildlife habitat. The property is protected by a conservation easement requiring the land be kept in a natural state.

In 2014, the last funding needed for the Bridge and Trail was committed and design and permitting were complete.

In January 2015, following a solicitation of bids, a recommendation to award was issued for Legacy Construction. The Groundbreaking Ceremony took place May 21, 2015.

When construction is complete later this fall, the Peter Courtney Minto Island Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge will link downtown Salem to Minto Island and complete a long-standing community vision of connecting three major urban parks.

Soon, walkers and bicyclists will have easy access to more than 30 miles of off-street trails, and 1,400 acres of parks and natural areas, via two pedestrian bridges over the Willamette River.

Completion of the Bridge and the adjoining multimodal trail is the last critical link to Downtown Parks Connections.

WATCH THE LIVE FEED from the construction cam at http://www.cityofsalem.net/MintoBridge to see the large arches erected over the next two weeks.

Bridge and Trail Conceptual Designs

Source: City of Salem Urban Development Department