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Multnomah County commissioners approved a change to the Sellwood Bridge design process today that could cut as much as $10 million off the project cost, if the project gets approval by all the permitting agencies necessary to start work this December.

County spokesman Mike Pullen said about 10 different agencies, mostly on the city and federal levels, will need to approve the proposal. The plan passed by the county today would move the current bridge span 40 feet north to be used as a detour bridge during the approximately three-year period it will take to build a new bridge.

This plan could cut down construction time by up to a year and thus cut between $5 million and $10 million off of the project’s $290 million price tag.

鈥淚t will be closer to $10 million if we can start during the December-January water work window,鈥� Pullen said. 鈥淚f we don’t get the permits to let us start in December, we will have to wait till next July to begin work.鈥�

In the case that permits are not acquired, less time and thus less money will be saved. However, Pullen said county representatives have met with all of the required agencies and they are 鈥渙ptimistic鈥� that they can get the approvals they need in time.

The county is looking to cut costs on the Sellwood Bridge as it faces a $42 million funding shortfall.