Press Releases

Task Force Meeting December 12 - Released December 10, 2007 (PDF, 62KB)

Open Houses on November 8 and 14 - Released November 5, 2007 (PDF, 29KB)

Task Force Meetings October 17 and 24 - Released October 15, 2007 (PDF, 22KB)

Open Houses on June 26 and 27 - Released June 20, 2007 (PDF, 29KB)

Task Force to meet on April 18 - Released April 16, 2007 (PDF, 20KB)

Task Force to meet on March 21 - Released March 16, 2007 (PDF, 20KB)

Task Force to meet on February 21 - Released February 14, 2007 (PDF, 18KB)

Open Houses scheduled for December 6th and 7th - Released November 28, 2006 (PDF, 29KB)

Task Force to meet on November 29 - Released November 21, 2006 (PDF, 20KB)

Task Force to meet on October 26 - Released October 25, 2006 (PDF, 15KB)

Salem River Crossing in the News

The Salem River Crossing project can not guarantee that the following news articles are still available to the public. Various newspapers have restrictions regarding their online articles. Many articles require a fee to be viewed after a determined length of time from the publication date. Please visit the newspaper's Web site for more information about viewing restrictions.

Research assistance may be available at the Salem's Library, visit their Web site for more information.

Opinions vary on paying for third bridgePoll shows that tolls, registration fee are preferable to taxes - Eunice Kim, Statesman Journal, May 31, 2008

"Tolls or a vehicle-registration fee might be more popular than taxing gas or property when it comes to paying for a third bridge over the Willamette River in Salem. . ."

Highland likely would be site of new bridgePlanners eliminate proposed span from Hood, Shipping streets NE - Eunice Kim, Statesman Journal, April 9, 2008

"If a new bridge is built in Salem, it looks as if it would cross the Willamette River from the Highland neighborhood. . ."

Bridge funding in question Local, regional sources include gas tax, bond, toll - Eunice Kim, Statesman Journal, March 1, 2008

"They have determined where it could go, what it could look like and how it could affect neighborhoods. Now, planners need to figure out how to pay for Salem's third bridge across the Willamette River. . ."

Group recommends bridge similar to existing spans - Eunice Kim, Statesman Journal, January 26, 2008

"If you're trying to picture what a new bridge in Salem could look like someday, think more Marion and Center street bridges and less Golden Gate. . ."

Councilor's Corner - Dan Clem, West Side Newspaper, January 2008

"The final three locations for the third bridge will be selected during December, after the due date for this article. I'm hoping that we can select a primary and an alternate location in December, so that we can get the final selection made next spring. The Environmental Impact Study (EIS) process for the proposed bridge is the most complex, exhaustive, and expensive I've ever seen in my 30 years of government service. . ."

Lets reconsider our bridge options - Don Homuth, West Side Newspaper, January 2008

"We had those two meetings in November to discuss the Third Bridge. We looked at the same thirteen mostly unpalatable alternatives. The same lame justifications for inviting traffic off I-5 right into the central part of Salem, and out through a new 6-lane expressway along the river. . ."

Three sites at top of list for bridge Salem Parkway corridor seems to be favorite option - Eunice Kim, Statesman Journal, December 23, 2007

"Three locations have risen to the top of the list of potential places for a new or improved bridge over the Willamette River. . ."

Don't let Salem be site of traffic bottleneck Third bridge vital to Salem regional transportation - Opinion - Statesman Journal, December 6, 2007

"Here's a thoughtful perspective from a reader about the need for a third Willamette River bridge: Sometimes human nature leads us to assume that whatever problems we may encounter should necessarily be fixed. . ."

Maybe a third bridge isn't good for Salem - Opinion - Dick Hughes, Statesman Journal, October 31, 2007

"Here's a thoughtful perspective from a reader about the need for a third Willamette River bridge: Sometimes human nature leads us to assume that whatever problems we may encounter should necessarily be fixed. . ."

The third-bridge debate goes on, and on ... Community needs to move forward on Willamette span - Editorial - Statesman Journal, October 30, 2007

"Not in my backyard! How many times have Mid-Valley civic leaders and residents said that in the past five decades? Build a third Willamette River bridge ... but put it over there, not here. . ."

Maintaining mobility for public, freight key - Opinion - Jeff Scheick, Statesman Journal, October 30, 2007

"The Marion and Center street bridges serve important purposes in Oregon's economy. They are the only major state highway freight route crossings of the Willamette River from Albany to Wilsonville. . ."

Construction of bridge is larger regional issue - Opinion - Phil Walker, Statesman Journal, October 30, 2007

"If you're old enough to remember the Kennedy administration, you also may remember when Oregon was known for the finest highway system in the West. . ."

Look at bigger picture for bridge options - Opinion - Don Homuth, Statesman Journal, October 30, 2007

"Before we lock in plans for a third bridge across the Willamette River, it'd be a good idea to step back and revisit the discussion in a broader context. . ."

Bridge options tough to narrow - Task force is studying best placement for third span across Willamette - Eunice Kim, Statesman Journal, October 26, 2007

"A task force is struggling to narrow the number of options for a third bridge over the Willamette River. . ."

Getting a third bridge will take determination - Opinion - Phil Walker, Statesman Journal, August 28, 2007

"Tossup. Vince Lombardi once described a tie as akin to kissing your sister -- a benign outcome, hinting at what might have been. Based on this definition, the Statesman Journal's Aug. 20 decision that the protracted process for building a new bridge is a tossup just might be right. . ."

Task force suggests more study for bridge - Most options call for six-lane river span in Salem - Eunice Kim, Statesman Journal, August 17, 2007

"A task force has recommended only further study of options for crossing the Willamette River that call for a new bridge. . ."

Salem assesses human impact of adding a new river crossing - One couple fears having to move if their property is chosen for span - Jillian Daley, Statesman Journal, July 31, 2007

"George Goesch calls his Salem home along the Willamette River after his favorite restaurant in Bermuda: Waterlot. . ."

Public input broadens options for Salem bridge - Impact of traffic on neighborhoods is a key concern - Eunice Kim, Statesman Journal, July 24, 2007

"City and state officials have expanded the options for another crossing over the Willamette River after hearing a variety of concerns from the community. . ."

Some bridge options run near Keizer - Jason Cox, Keizertimes, July 20, 2007

"Two Willamette bridge concepts will direct eastbound traffic into the Keizer area, which Keizer Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Christine Dieker said could be a boon to local businesses. . ."

Neighbors weigh potential impact of bridges: Open houses give views of possible Willamette spans - Eunice Kim, Statesman Journal, June 28, 2007

"Jeremy Shay plans to keep a close eye on where city and state officials consider putting a new bridge over the Willamette River. . ."

Residents should share ideas on bridge plans: Third river crossing essential to improving Mid-Valley life - Editorial, Statesman Journal, June 27, 2007

"The proposed third bridge over the Willamette River will help West Salem residents, no doubt about it. But its impact will extend much further. . ."

Officials look at 6 sites for a new bridge - Eunice Kim, Statesman Journal, June 23, 2007

"City and state officials have identified six potential locations for a third bridge across the Willamette River in Salem, a major step in what has been a decades-long push for an additional crossing. . ."

Bridge proposal could improve Salem traffic - Gail Oberst, News-Register, May 15, 2007

"For six years, Dayton-area resident Stephanie Eisener has braved Wallace Road traffic to get to work in Keizer and Salem. . ."

Salem River Crossing Project Seeks Neighborhood Input - Darlene Strozut, Highland Neighborhood Association Neighborhood News, April 2007 - page 7

"Since October 2006, the City of Salem and the Oregon Department of Transportation have been coordinating a 22-member task force of residents, business owners, and stakeholders to develop community-supported solutions for crossing the Willamette River in the Salem-Keizer area. . ."

County connects with public on bridge ideas - Erin Zysett, Polk County Itemizer-Observer, May 3, 2007

"Aaron Geisler, Polk County public works director, estimates that in 23 years traffic over the Willamette River at the Marion and Center street bridges will become impossible if another bridge isn't built. . ."

Row, row your boat - or take a better route across the Willamette - Polk County Itemizer-Observer, March 28, 2007 (this article has been removed from the Itemizer-Observer web site)

"The Polk County Commission has joined the chorus seeking a new span connecting Polk County to Salem and ultimately to I-5. . ."

Railroad bridge not likely to carry traffic - Michael Rose, Statesman Journal, March 25, 2007

"Salem's plan to convert the Union Street railroad bridge into a pedestrian and bike path has put the brakes on commuter's hopes for an unlikely concept. . ."

Bridge proposals go on county web site - Polk County Itemizer-Observer, February 1, 2007

"In a recent work session, the Polk County Board of Commissioners agreed to put an interactive page on the county's official web page to support construction of a third bridge over the Willamette River at Salem. . ."

Salem City Council Work Session - CCTV, January 8, 2007

To view the January 8th work session, which discusses the project, select the correct date from the drop down menu beneath "Salem City Council" and hit the "Submit" button.

Salem's hopes for a third bridge must navigate federal corridors - Eunice Kim, Statesman Journal, January 14, 2007

"Garnering federal approval and funding requires years of detailed effort by city. For the past 40 years, people have been talking about the need for a third bridge across the Willamette River. . ."

Discussion of Salem project began in 1960s - Eunice Kim, Statesman Journal, January 14, 2007

"'98 study provided a foundation for future, planner says. Discussions about a possible third bridge across the Willamette River in Salem date to the 1960s. . ."

3rd-bridge idea may be in place by summer '08 - Michael Rose, Statesman Journal, January 9, 2007

"Plans for developing a third bridge across the Willamette River in Salem will begin to take shape by late spring, and the preferred alternative could be identified by summer 2008, said officials with the Salem River Crossing project. . ."

Third bridge across the Willamette a decade away from easing traffic - Carol McAlice Currie, Statesman Journal, December 8, 2006

"More than 125 people turned out this week to learn about the process the city and state are following to solve Willamette River bridge congestion problems. . ."

December 7, 2006 Open House Presentation - View the streamlined broadcast of the presentation that was shown on CCTV. Search for the Salem City Council meetings for December 7, 2006 and then hit the "submit" button.

Session slated to discuss third bridge in Salem - Statesman Journal, December 7, 2006

"One more open house is scheduled for tonight to give residents a chance to comment on plans for a third bridge crossing the Willamette River in Salem. . ."

Public invited to discuss third bridge in city in Salem - Statesman Journal, December 5, 2006

"Two open houses this week will give residents a chance to comment on plans for a third bridge crossing the Willamette River in Salem. . ."