Definition: Project Bridge Watch seeks to construct a third bridge across the Willamette River connecting the western Willamette Valley and the central Oregon coast to the I-5 corridor.  This vital tie supports not just Polk County residents, but also major industry and the tourism trade so crucial to Oregon’s economy.

What Project Bridge Watch is NOT

 What Project Bridge Watch IS

 Why?

A Long Term Problem
A new bridge has been discussed repeatedly for over forty years.  Study after study has been conducted at high cost to the taxpayer’s pocket book.  Environmental impact studies.  Capacity studies.  Transportation plans. Location reports. You name it, it’s been analyzed, 'qualitized', and quantified, primarily at taxpayer expense.

It is time to finish the studies and begin the work.  Join us as we work towards a new bridge to handle traffic that has doubled since the current bridges were constructed.

A Regional Issue
It is commonly believed that the construction of a third bridge across the Willamette River will primarily serve to link West Salem with Salem proper. 

There's a lot more to it than that.

It cannot be stressed enough that this is a regional issue, not just a West Salem issue.  True, the residents and businesses of Dallas, Monmouth, and Independence all need to connect with Salem’s infrastructure every day.  But it goes even further than that. For instance, the number one tourist attraction in the State of Oregon is the Spirit Mountain Casino, located in Grand Ronde, Polk County.  The vast majority of tourists visiting Spirit Mountain are forced to traverse the Marion Street Bridge from the I-5 corridor in Salem into Polk County and then travel via Highway 22 to the casino.

Click here to view a map illustrating the number of accidents on the bridges during 2000 - 2006. Click here to view a map showing traffic flow and how a new bridge could provide the citizens of Polk County and the Coast with faster access to I-5. A map showing possible downtown bridge locations (from previous bridge studies) is also available. You may also download a full color brochure promoting Project BridgeWatch (the brochure also includes a copy of the Accident Map).

Everyone’s Problem

We all need a third bridge:  West Salem, Polk County, Yamhill County, Tillamook County, Lincoln County, agriculture, private industry, and tourists.

Agriculture:  Most of the fruit, nuts, and vegetables produced locally must cross the Willamette River to be processed at plants.  Grass seed and grains may be cleaned and/or bagged here, but most large scale markets require getting a truck to Interstate 5.  The same is true for the Christmas tree and wood products industry (which includes regional manufacturing of hot tubs, wood cabinets, travel trailers, and finished lumber).

Industry:  Small industry also requires easy access to Interstate 5 in order to thrive.  In fact, poor interstate access is one of the reasons cited for Tyco (one of the largest employers in Polk County) closing its plant in Dallas, Oregon in December of 2006.

Tourism:  The beautiful Oregon coast, wine country, Spirit Mountain Casino, Chinook Winds Casino, mountain bike traffic, and all of the small businesses sustained by tourism dollars west of Marion County need smooth access to the only major Interstate running throughout the Willamette Valley.  It is critical that we remove any obstacles to the tourism trade, including bottlenecks on our major bridges and roadways.

Agriculture, private industry, and tourism provide badly needed jobs, ensuring the continued existence of our way of life here in the Willamette Valley.  We need to fight to keep those jobs for our families.  One of the best ways to ensure a future for our children is by enhancing our local infrastructure, including the roads and bridges. 

Please work with us towards building a new western Oregon lifeline across the Willamette River.  Project Bridge Watch’s time has come and it will benefit the entire region for generations.

More questions? Visit our Links page and the Frequently Asked Questions at the Salem River Crossing Project for even more information on the history and future of this project.

UPDATE: To date, we have received 1,108 letters of support!. If you haven't already done so, please visit the Support page to learn how to send in your own letter in support of a third bridge across the Willamette.