Morrison Bridge Bike and Pedestrian Path update
A new path for bicyclists and pedestrians is taking shape on the south side of the Morrison Bridge. Work on the path began in late March and is expected to be completed by December.
By late August, new concrete sidewalks had been poured, except for locations where new drains for storm water will be installed. Filters will be installed in the catch basin drains on the river spans to remove pollutants from storm water before the water drains to the river.
A concrete barrier has been installed between the path and the southernmost traffic lane on the fixed bridge spans above the river. A metal railing will be installed on top of the concrete barrier to protect path users from bridge traffic.
On the drawbridge span, the contractor will soon install a two-tube crash-resistant metal guardrail between the path and traffic. Sheets of a hard plastic (fiber reinforced polymer) will be attached to the steel deck grate where the path crosses the lift span. These lighter materials are required because the lift span needs to match the weight of the concrete counterweight that lowers to open the drawbridge for ships.
On the east side, a new offramp to SE Water Ave., separated from the I-5 freeway offramp, has been graded and paved and a new sidewalk built. The new offramp will benefit bicyclists, pedestrians and motor vehicles, which will no longer face an awkward merge with traffic exiting the freeway.
The path, which will be 15 feet wide, will provide an alternative river crossing to the popular (and often crowded) sidewalks on the nearby Hawthorne Bridge.
Posted on October 1, 2009
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