County to Receive FEMA Grant to Replace Meacham Bridge

For Immediate Release: Monday, December 05, 2011

Washington County's Department of Land Use and Transportation was recently awarded a FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant through the Oregon Office of Emergency Management to replace the Meacham Road bridge over the east fork of Dairy Creek. During flood events, debris accumulates against the three in-stream bents supporting the bridge. The flood debris damages the bridge, causes upstream flooding, and makes the road impassable. Although the volume of traffic on this rural local road is relatively low, it provides the only access to over 60 properties.

The new bridge will be about the same size as the existing bridge, but will be a single span with no supports in the stream. Besides reducing flood debris accumulation, the new structure will improve habitat conditions for fish and wildlife by restoring natural stream hydrology.

The FEMA grant, which will be received early next year, will fund about 75 percent of the project's $882,700 estimated cost. Construction is expected to be completed during the 2012-2013 fiscal year.

Related: Vicinity map (PDF)

For current road work information, visit Washington County Roads at www.wc-roads.com or call 503-846-ROAD (846-7623).

Washington County is committed to building and maintaining the best transportation system, ensuring the safety of all roadway users, and to operating the county roadway system in a cost-effective and environmentally responsible manner.

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