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News room

This page includes press releases from the project, as well as articles written about the project.

Press Releases

2014

2013

2012

2011

2007

2006

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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.

2014

  • Paying for third bridge could be biggest challenge – Michael Rose, Statesman Journal, December 5, 2014
    • “Take your pick: local gas taxes, new property taxes, vehicle registration surcharges, or bridge tolls. All of them. Participants at two workshops this week considered the options. . .”
  • Third bridge plan draws fire but project advances – Michael Rose, Statesman Journal, February 7, 2014
    • “The latest plan for a third bridge across the Willamette River in Salem drew fire from critics Thursday, but it wasn’t enough to stop the project from advancing another step. . .”

2013

  • Smaller third bridge plan still expensive – Peter Wong, Statesman Journal, November 1, 2013
    • “A revised version of a proposed third bridge across the Willamette River in Salem would cost between $350 million and $400 million, but also would result in closure of the Rosemont Avenue off-ramp on Highway 22 westbound . . .”
  • Alternative bridge plan gets closer look – Justin Much, Statesman Journal, August 1, 2013
    • “A group studying the where and how of a proposed third bridge over the Willamette River in Salem got its first formal look at the latest alternative, and transportation planners will be taking a closer look in the coming weeks. . .”
  • Hearing on potential third bridge will continue May 13 – Justin Much, Statesman Journal, April 23, 2013
    • “Salem City Council listened to more than two hours of testimony from three dozen people Monday about an additional Willamette River bridge. . .”
  • 3rd bridge public hearing planned -what do you say? – Helen Caswell, Willamette Live, April 17, 2013
    • “In the course of the April 8 Salem City Council meeting, two Councilors, Ward 1’s Chuck Bennett and Ward 5’s Diana Dickey, asked the Council to consider a new bridge concept. . .”
  • People In The Way -Photographing the human cost of a third bridge – Helen Caswell, Willamette Live, April 17, 2013
    • “The “Third Bridge” currently being considered by local officials will impact people with displacement or property loss from eminent domain. . .”
  • Valley View – Willamette River Crossing 3rd Bridge – KWVT, March 18, 2013
    • “Discussion of an additional bridge across the Willamette River began decades ago. With renewed interest, the City of Salem has been working for several years to select a preferred option for a new bridge. . .”
  • Calculations in question -New Numbers Suggest Some “Pro 3rd bridge” Assumptions Incorrect – Helen Caswell, Willamette Live, January 10, 2013
    • “Salem’s City Council is one of several entities now deciding whether to recommend that a certain ‘3rd bridge’ plan move forward. . .”

2012

  • Salem River Crossing: The CRC’s Mini-Me – Andrea Damewood, Willamette Week, December 12, 2012
    • “With the northern half of the Oregon’s attention focused on the controversial Columbia River Crossing, the state’s got a little-brother project in the works an hour’s drive south. . .”
  • Where do drivers cross the Willamette? – Justin Much, Statesman Journal – West Salem Blog, December 5, 2012
    • “The Willamette River mainstream meanders 187 miles between Eugene and its Portland-area confluence with the Columbia River, splitting the core of Oregon’s most populous region along its course. Where do motorists cross the Willamette River in the valley?. . .”
  • New Bridge Defies Old Rules – Sarah Epstein, Salem Weekly, November 29, 2012
    • “Opponents to a new bridge spanning the Willamette have begun to cite a 1999 Oregon law that mandates against major highway construction when improvements to existing roadways will suffice. . .”
  • City council: Salem needs another river crossing — now what? – Justin Much, Statesman Journal, November 29, 2012
    • “Salem needs another river crossing. That much was agreed upon by the Salem City Council Wednesday evening when it held a workshop session at the public library addressing the Salem River Crossing project. . .”
  • Lots of talk, no decision on Salem bridge – Tom Henderson, Daily Journal of Commerce, November 29, 2012
    • “After six years, $5 million and hours of public testimony, members of the Salem City Council agree that Salem needs a new bridge. Now they just have to decide when and where to build it and how much it will cost. . .”
  • Neighbors discuss proposed West Salem bridge – Tom Henderson, Daily Journal of Commerce, November 14, 2012
    • “The West Salem Neighborhood Association has not taken a formal stand on the Salem River Crossing, but that might change after a meeting at 7 p.m. Nov. 19 at Roth’s IGA conference room on Wallace Road NW. . .”
  • Bridge plan moving forward – Jolene Guzman, Polk County Itemizer Observer, November 13, 2012
    • “The lengthy Salem River Crossing project will be making rapid progress in the coming months as local municipalities decide what the third Willamette River bridge in Salem between Polk and Marion counties will look like. . .”
  • Bridging the gap: Polk County Commissioner calls for consensus on third bridge talks – Justin Much, Statesman Journal, November 9, 2012
    • “The concept of a third bridge — or an additional river crossing site, depending on one’s perspective — has percolated within the Salem-area planning consciousness for decades. . .”
  • Scheduled hearing on Salem River Crossing upcoming – Justin Much, Statesman Journal – West Salem Blog, November 1, 2012
    • “How’s that traffic going over the bridge this evening? If you’ve followed the decades-long discussion about the addition of another Salem area crossing over the river, you will likely be interested to know that the Salem City Council has scheduled a public hearing on the issue, 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 5. . .”
  • Proposed Salem bridge would displace homes, businesses – Tom Henderson, Daily Journal of Commerce, August 24, 2012
    • “At least 100 people would have to find new homes if a proposed bridge is built linking West Salem to Interstate 5. . .”
  • Salem bridge to be discussed at committee’s first meeting – Tom Henderson, Daily Journal of Commerce, August 21, 2012
    • “Elected officials from city, county and state government meet from noon to 3 p.m. in Salem on Thursday to discuss the possibility of a new bridge connecting West Salem to the Salem Parkway and Interstate 5. . .”
  • Congressman! Can you spare a dime? – Jason Cox, Keizer Times, April 13, 2012
    • “Give us money and get out of our way. That was the crux of many local leaders’ plea to Congressman Kurt Schrader. . .”
  • Councilor’s Corner – Dan Clem, Westside News, March 2012
    • “The Salem River Crossing/Third Bridge report we’ve been waiting for will be published in mid-April by ODOT. . .”

2009

  • Planners discuss traffic over Willamette – Justin Much, Statesman Journal, October 14, 2009
    • “Gridlock is rare on Salem’s Willamette River crossings at Marion and Center streets, limited to an anomalous thorny accident or similar emergency on or near the bridges. . .”

2008

  • 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. . .”

2007

  • 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. . .”

2006

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