Ross Island Bridge Painting Project Kicks Off

Monday, October 20, 2014

GoLocalPDX News Team

Paint has deteriorated on the Ross Island Bridge

A three-year project to paint Portland's Ross Island Bridge kicks off today, Monday, with the replacement of the bridge's 78-year-old rivets.

The replacement of about 250 rivets, that have bgeen part of the bridge since it opened in 1926, begins today and will take an estimated six to eight weeks to be completed. According to ODOT, there will be no impact on daytime traffic while this work takes place.

The painting of the bridge will begin in spring of 2015, and will continue over the summer until fall of next year, and from spring to fall over 2016 and 2017, with completion expected by late 2017.

Painting will involve stripping the existing paint down to the bare steel, treating the bare steel for rust and then applying five new coats of paint, with the last coat a deep blue-green, the color it received in its last painting in 1967.

According to ODOT, the paint has deteriorated over the past five decades and no longer provides "the necessary corrosion protection and aesthetic appearance."

It's hoped the river replacement and painting will presreve the bridge's structural integrity and extend its life.

No full bridge closures are planned during the painting although occasional nighttime single lane closures may be necessary.

More information can be found at http://www.RossIslandBridgeProject.org.