91ÊÓƵ

Construction has begun on Flanders Crossing, Portland’s newest span.

Minor work began in late June on the pedestrian and bicycle bridge spanning Interstate 405 in Northwest Portland, the Portland Bureau of Transportation announced. Contractor Wildish Standard Paving Co. will begin major work on the project this month.

The $9.5 million bridge will function as an overpass for pedestrians and cyclists between the Pearl and Northwest districts. The project is funded by ConnectOregon grant funds and transportation system development charges.

The 200-foot-long span will consist of a single prefabricated steel truss anchored on either end by drilled shafts. The bridge’s 24-foot-wide concrete deck will hold four lanes for cyclists and pedestrians traveling in each direction. It is designed to accommodate use by emergency vehicles in the event of a major earthquake.

The project includes new traffic signals at Northwest 14th and 16th avenues, and a four-way stop sign at Northwest 15^th Avenue to provide bridge access. The project will require a five-week closure of the Northwest Glisan Street off-ramp early next month, as well as a closure of Interstate 405 over a full weekend in early November.

The $6.3 million contract to serve as prime contractor was awarded earlier this year to Eugene-based Wildish Standard Paving Co. Of the total project value, Wildish will self-perform approximately 69 percent. Another 15 percent will be performed by subcontractors certified by Oregon’s Certification Office for Business Inclusion and Diversity (COBID), and 16 percent by non-certified subcontractors.

COBID-certified subcontractors on the project will include Alliance Geomatics LLC, A+ Flagging Inc., Anderson Erosion Control Inc., Brothers Concrete Cutting Inc., Cartello Construction Inc., CBK Construction, Just Bucket Excavating Inc., R&R Construction Inc. and Taylor Transport Inc.