City Seeks Task Force Members for the French Prairie Bridge Project
September 30, 2016 - The City of Wilsonville invites interested members of the public to apply to serve on an advisory task force for the French Prairie Bridge Project. The scope of this project includes developing preliminary designs for a proposed bicycle/pedestrian/emergency responder crossing of the Willamette River west of the I-5 Boone Bridge. Task force members are to meet at least four times over the next two years to discuss technical analyses, public input and project recommendations. Task force applications are due by Friday, Oct. 14 and are available at www.ci.wilsonville.or.us/FrenchPrairieBridge.
The composition of the task force is to include members who represent diverse stakeholder interests and perspectives on the project. This may include residents of the neighborhoods north and south of the river, walking and bicycle enthusiasts, business and tourism interests, river users, and emergency responders, among others.
The goal of the bridge project, funded by a grant awarded through METRO’s Regional Flexible Funds, is to develop preliminary designs for the proposed bicycle/pedestrian/emergency access crossing of the Willamette River. The project, undertaken in partnership with the Oregon Department of Transportation, seeks to engage the public in addressing key questions about the bridge location, alignment, and design and thereby help position the community and the region to decide whether to pursue funding to create a final bridge design and construct the proposed bridge.
The design project begins this fall and is planned to be complete by mid-2018 when the Wilsonville City Council is expected to consider the proposed bridge design project. The project will include public open houses and other opportunities for public input regarding the preferred bridge type and landing points throughout the various stages of the process.
For more information, contact Zachary Weigel, PE, Civil Engineer at 503 570-1565, weigel@ci.wilsonville.or.us.
