PORTLAND, Ore. — The Portland Bureau of Transportation has begun repair work on a key roadway bridge damaged by a Union Pacific derailment, and Oregon Public Broadcasting reports another lane could be open by Thanksgiving.
The North Going Street Bridge — the only route to and from the Swan Island industrial area, which includes United Parcel Service and FedEx distribution centers among its 200 businesses — was damaged by a Sept. 7 derailment. [See “Union Pacific derailment damages busy Portland bridge,” Trains News Wire, Sept. 9, 2019.] Union Pacific later reported a broken rail had caused the accident. The damage, resulting from the train hitting bridge supports, briefly closed the entire bridge, and since mid-September has been limited to traffic on three of its six lanes.
A press release from the transportation bureau says travel times have been unpredictable since the closure, even with businesses changing work schedules to reduce rush-hour congestion: “Deliveries have been delayed. People have reported road-rage incidents and car crashes.”
The agency is aiming to have full repairs completed by spring 2020.
Fortunately my employer has been allowing me for the most part to work from home. That was never a nice bridge to deal with, even in the best of times.
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So FedEx, UPS, and other industries located in an area with only one entrance?