Further talk on the Salmon Creek Trestle Bridge project presented at Oakridge city council meeting 12/19

By ELLIE GRAHAM/for The Herald  —  Talks of the Salmon Creek Trestle project have been underway for some time now. A feasibility study for the Salmon Creek Bridge project was presented at the city council meeting held Dec. 19. The bridge, which is said to play a vital role in linking Oakridge’s trail systems, will provide a pedestrian-friendly route to various community areas and national forest access. 

In full attendance, both in-person and remotely, the council voted unanimously on the motion proposed for developing grant proposals. The approval will allow James Cleavenger to work with McMullen Engineering and the community parks and services committee to develop a comprehensive funding plan designed to lift the project off the ground.

Before the motion was passed though, an engineer from McMullen Engineering presented their findings from an in-depth feasibility study that was conducted during the summer. 

The presentation dived into an analysis on structural integrity issues, lead paint and environmental considerations with some cost estimates proposed for the repairs and improvements. 

A team of engineers from the company came out to Oakridge in August to analyze the project’s feasibility which involved spending numerous days assessing the structure, the engineer said. 

“The focus of the study was heavy on structural elements, with ancillary questions about funding, environmental impacts and transportation.”

He noted that while the trestle’s primary structural components are in relatively good shape, certain elements like the guardrail and decking have severely deteriorated and require attention. 

“Some of those timbers are rotten. It’s hard to tell the extent of the rot just by tapping, but it will be important to investigate further during the redecking process,” he said.

The presentation pinpointed several options for restoring the bridge, which range from using precast concrete planks, to reusing the old rail as decking material. The engineer said flexibility will be key to the company’s approach. 

“There’s not one right way to do this,” he said. “There are ways that cost less and last longer.”

The need for a rail system that meets safety standards was a key item he also unpacked while delivering the findings. As Oakridge remains a lead mountain biking hub, conversations with the Forest Service generated a recommendation for a rail height of four feet six inches for mountain biking activities, while building codes require 42 inches. A higher rail would be more cost-effective and a safer option, according to their findings.

McMullen Engineering proposed two cost estimates to the council for consideration. The first is estimated to require a $3 million dollar budget and will include features like asphalt trails, two parking lots and a $200,000 restroom facility at the trailhead. 

Alternatively, a $1.7 million dollar budget would cover a scaled-back version of the plan and include gravel trails but fewer amenities.

“This list of work, which comes at around $3 million is probably the more rigorous end of what we see that needs to be done,” the engineer said.

Grant funding is planned to be the source of funding to lift the project. The engineer emphasized grant funding will ensure the project’s viability. He cited that successful projects in Oregon have followed a similar route to this proposed plan and asked the councilors to approve their firm to work with Cleavenger to construct impending grant proposals. 

“Linking the city with the forest is critical to help get the kind of grant money you’d likely need for a scalable project,” the McMullen representative said. “This is a key bridge, it connects two sides of the Salmon Creek and opens up access paths to the National Forest and other areas, building a trail network that’s crucial for the community.”

The motion’s unanimous passing marks the beginning of a detailed planning process to ensure the bridge’s restoration aligns with Oakridge’s broader vision of community connectivity and recreational access. 

“Starting with smaller grants builds your case,” the engineer said. “It shows a commitment to the project and makes it easier for larger funders to support adding things like bathrooms or other features later on.”

A phased approach for the project aims to pursue smaller grants initially and build momentum for larger federal and state funding opportunities down the line.