Residents Encouraged to Attend Minto Bridge Public Hearing

(SALEM, Ore.) - Salem residents are invited to attend the City Council public hearing on the Minto Island Pedestrian Bridge.

The Minto Island Pedestrian Bridge is being designed to connect Riverfront Park to Minto Island. The purpose of the public hearing is to discuss alternatives to the low tier bridge design option that City Council approved earlier this year.

Residents in attendance will hear about the impacts of different bridge options on the park and island. Residents will also have the opportunity to share their thoughts on design options necessary to obtain a required US Coast Guard permit. The Council meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in Salem City Council Chambers at City Hall. Public hearings usually begin at 7:30 p.m. Residents should arrive early to sign up if they plan to testify.

The Minto Island Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge, planned to span the Willamette Slough, from the south end of Riverfront Park to Minto Island, will connect users to existing trail systems and downtown Salem via a multi-use path. Together, with the conversion of the historic Union Street Railroad Bridge, these two bridges will link more than 1,300 acres of popular downtown parks and about 26 miles of trails.

Currently, Minto Brown Island Park is only accessible from River Road. The Minto Island Bridge is identified in the Riverfront-Downtown Urban Renewal Plan, the Salem Transportation System Plan, and the Salem Comprehensive Park System Master Plan. Completing the Bridge is a Salem City Council goal and is included as an important connectivity element in the Salem Vision 2020 Action Plan. To view the Oct. 25 Council agenda, get more information about the potential bridge, and view the public hearing information, please go to www.cityofsalem.net/mintobridge. If you have questions regarding the Minto Brown Island bridge project, please refer to the website or contact Todd Klocke at 503-588-6178 or tklocke@cityofsalem.net

Salem residents can get involved in the project by becoming a part of the Friends of Two Bridges, a non-profit grassroots group dedicated to the design and construction of the Minto Island Bridge and the Union Street Railroad Bridge. In addition to gathering support for conversion of the Union Street Railroad Bridge, the group worked on its ribbon cutting ceremony and an interpretive display. The group is also gathering support for funding the Minto Island to Riverfront Park bridge connection. The Friends of Two Bridges meets monthly in the Urban Development Conference Room. Contact Hazel Patton at 503.581.4939 or email ptn1363@msn.com to be added to the email roster