Overview
The Draft Environmental Impact Statement comment period is now closed. This site is available for viewing purposes only and contains information and related documents pertaining to the Draft EIS.
Multnomah County is leading the Earthquake Ready Burnside Bridge (EQRB) project to provide rapid and reliable emergency response, rescue and evacuation after a major earthquake, as well as enable post-earthquake economic recovery. In addition to ensuring that the crossing is seismically resilient, the purpose is also to provide a long-term, low-maintenance and safe crossing for all users.
As part of the federally required process by the National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA, the project team, working with the Federal Highway Administration (the federal lead agency), prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement, or EIS. The Draft EIS describes the range of alternatives being considered, their impacts, and potential ways to mitigate those impacts. It also recommends a preferred alternative.
Thank you to those of you who shared your input on the Draft EIS and analysis! The Draft EIS materials will continue to be available through this site and at www.burnsidebridge.org in the future.

What is being proposed?
What is being proposed and why?
The primary purpose of the EQRB Project is to create a seismically resilient Burnside Street lifeline crossing of the Willamette River. The Bridge would remain fully operational and accessible for emergency responders, cars, trucks, buses, bikes and pedestrians immediately following the next Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ) earthquake. None of the current bridges in downtown Portland are expected to be usable after this type of seismic event.
There are five specific needs the project would address. These include the need for:
- A Seismically Resilient River Crossing and Lifeline Route
- Post-Earthquake Emergency Response
- Post-Earthquake Recovery
- Emergency Transportation Routes and Seismic Resiliency as Stated in Plan and Policy Directives
- Long-Term Multimodal Travel Across the River

For the environmental review, the project team analyzed three bridge replacement alternatives and one retrofit alternative along with the no-build option. The team also analyzed four options for managing cross-river traffic during construction.
Because the Project is intended to serve two reasonably foreseeable future conditions (both before and after the next CSZ earthquake), the EIS analysis considers how each alternative would perform in both of those scenarios.
More information on the Preferred Alternative is available on the project website.
The Build Alternatives include the Enhanced Seismic Retrofit Alternative that would partially retrofit the existing bridge as well as three different replacement alternatives that would remove the existing bridge structure and build a new bridge at the same location.
- Enhanced Seismic Retrofit - Some parts of the bridge would be retrofitted and some parts would be replaced.
- Replacement Alternative with Short-Span Approach - The Short-span Alternative would completely replace the existing structure but would be very similar in alignment. As with the existing bridge, the structural members of the approach spans would be below the bridge deck and the span length between the columns would be typically less than 100 feet. The bridge would have the same connection to West Burnside Street and only slightly modified connections to North East Couch Street and East Burnside Street on the east end.
- Replacement Alternative with Long-Span Approach - Bridge alignment and connections would be very similar to the Short-span Alternative. The primary differences would be that the Long-span Alternative approaches would be supported by above-deck superstructure to allow longer spans between the piers and columns.
- Replacement Alternative with Couch Extension - The Couch Extension Alternative has the same west approach and movable-span sections as the Short-span Alternative but the east approach span would extend the Burnside/Couch couplet approximately 1,100 feet farther west resulting in a bridge that splits just east of the movable span.
A temporary bridge could be constructed to allow some level of vehicular, pedestrian, and bicycle traffic to cross the Willamette River at Burnside while the main bridge is closed during construction. A temporary detour bridge would help reduce the impacts on cross-river travel but it would not accommodate all of the bridge’s current vehicle travel demands.
- Temporary Bridge Options
The EIS studied three different options for a temporary bridge:- Two general traffic lanes (one in each direction) allowing all motor vehicles, as well as bike lanes, and sidewalks
- Two bus only lanes, bike lanes, and sidewalks
- Bicycles and pedestrians only
- No Temporary Bridge (Full Closure during Construction) - Because of the high cost and impacts associated with a temporary bridge, the Project is considering detouring all trips to other existing bridges during construction. With this option, the Burnside crossing would be fully closed to all modes for about 2 years with the Retrofit Alternative and 4 years with the replacement alternatives.
In June 2020, following almost two years of coordination, analysis and input, the Project’s Community Task Force (CTF) recommended that the Long-span Approach Alternative and the No Temporary Bridge option be the Preferred Alternative (PA).
While this combination has received broad agency and public support, the decision won’t be final until the Record of Decision is signed by the Federal Highway Administration at the end of the NEPA process.
A Long Span bridge could be composed of the following bridge types
Draft EIS
Draft EIS
Links to the complete executive summary and Draft EIS chapters and attachments (A through O) are below.

The executive summary presents the purpose and findings of the environmental review. It answers these questions:
- What is being proposed and why?
- What are the possible solutions to meet the project purpose?
- What would be the consequences and concerns for the different alternatives?
- What are the unresolved issues?
- What is the preferred alternative?
You may download and view Draft EIS chapters using the buttons below, or view the Table of Contents [.15 MB PDF] and Cover Sheet [.49 MB PDF].
Chapter 1, Purpose and Need for the Project - This chapter explains the problems that the project is addressing and the intended outcomes from project implementation.
Chapter 1: Purpose and Need [2.1 MB PDF]
Chapter 2, Project Alternatives - This describes the alternatives that are studied in the Draft EIS and identifies the alternative that has been recommended as the preferred alternative. It also summarizes the 2018 Feasibility Study and subsequent early scoping work that identifed and screened potential solutions to reach the range of alternatives that are studied in the Draft EIS.
Chapter 2: Project Alternatives [4.5 MB PDF]
Chapter 3, Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences - This chapter summarizes the relevant natural and built environment along with the social and cultural resources in the potentially affected area, and outlines and compares the impacts and benefits that would be expected from the different alternatives and options. It also identifies potential measures that could help to avoid, reduce or mitigate the impacts.
Chapter 3: Affected Environment
and Environmental Consequences [44.6 MB PDF]
- Acronyms and Abbreviations [.11MB PDF]
- References [.16MB PDF]
- List of Preparers [.15MB PDF]
- List of Supporting Technical Documentation [.07 MB PDF]
- Notice of Availability Distribution List [.14 MB PDF]
- Agency Letters [31.4 MB PDF]
- Detailed Graphics of Alternatives [14.3 MB PDF]
- Preferred Alternative Evaluation Memo [1.5 MB PDF]
- Summary of Permits and Clearances [.13 MB PDF]
- Summary of Potential Mitigation [.4 MB PDF]
- Summary of Public Involvement and Agency Coordination [.37 MB PDF]
- Index [.16 MB PDF]
- Section 4(f) (Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Resources Historic Sites) [36.3 MB PDF]
- Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) Strategy Technical Memorandum [.34 MB PDF]
- Cost Risk Assessment Cost Estimate Summaries [.96 MB PDF]
Document Library
Technical Report Topics
The Draft EIS summarizes the relevant natural and built environment along with social and cultural resources that would be potentially affected by the project. The document compares both the benefits and impacts that would be expected from the different alternatives and options being studied.
A list of all the technical report topics are shown in the table below. You can access the level of detail that is right for you by following the links to a brief summary, the full technical report, or by referencing the chapter and page number in the Draft EIS.

Topic | Summary | Full technical report | Location in Draft EIS |
---|---|---|---|
Acquisitions and Displacements | Summary [.22 MB PDF] | Technical report [5.5 MB PDF] | EIS Ch. 3 page number 44 |
Air Quality | Summary [.21 MB PDF] | Technical report [1.6 MB PDF] | EIS Ch. 3 page number 227 |
Climate Change | Summary [.22 MB PDF] | Technical report [1.8 MB PDF] | EIS Ch. 3 page number 242 |
Cultural Resources | Summary [.21 MB PDF] | Technical report [22.3 MB PDF] | EIS Ch. 3 page number 137 |
Economic Impacts | Summary [.13 MB PDF] | Technical report [1.3 MB PDF] | EIS Ch. 3 page number 65 |
Environmental Justice | Summary [.22 MB PDF] | Technical report [4.3 MB PDF] | EIS Ch. 3 page number 103 |
Hazardous Materials | Summary [ .22 MB PDF] | Technical report [34.4 MB PDF] | EIS Ch. 3 page number 231 |
Hydraulic Impact Analysis | Summary [.21 MB PDF] | Technical report [43.8 MB PDF] | EIS Ch. 3 page number 180 |
Land Use | Summary [.21 MB PDF] | Technical report [7.8 MB PDF] | EIS Ch. 3 page number 55 |
Noise and Vibration | Summary [.21 MB PDF] | Technical report [13.8 MB PDF] | EIS Ch. 3 page number 218 |
Parks and Recreation | Summary [.22 MB PDF] | Technical report [4.5 MB PDF] | EIS Ch. 3 page number 121 |
Public Services | Summary [.21 MB PDF] | Technical report [1.9 MB PDF] | EIS Ch. 3 page number 71 |
Right-of-Way | Summary [.22 MB PDF] | Technical report [3.9 MB PDF] | EIS Ch. 3 page number 44 |
Social/Neighborhood | Summary [.21 MB PDF] | Technical report [3.9 MB PDF] | EIS Ch. 3 page number 91 |
Soils and Geology | Summary [.21 MB PDF] | Technical report [2.9 MB PDF] | EIS Ch. 3 page number 166 |
Stormwater | Summary [.21 MB PDF] | Technical report [.87 MB PDF] | EIS Ch. 3 page number 172 |
Transportation | Summary [.22 MB PDF] | Technical report [19.0 MB PDF] | EIS Ch. 3 page number 1 |
Utilities | Summary [.22 MB PDF] | Technical report [5.5 MB PDF] | EIS Ch. 3 page number 80 |
Vegetation, Wildlife, and Aquatic Species | Summary [.22 MB PDF] | Technical report [8.8 MB PDF] | EIS Ch. 3 page number 191 |
Visual Resources | Summary [.44 MB PDF] | Technical report [21.9 MB PDF] | EIS Ch. 3 page number 152 |
Wetlands and Waters | Summary [.22 MB PDF] | Technical report [5.6 MB PDF] | EIS Ch. 3 page number 204 |
- Description of Alternatives [10.8 MB PDF]
- Greenroads [.7 MB PDF]
- Health Impact Assessment [2.2 MB PDF]
- Noise and Vibration Technical Report Appendix A: Part 1 [170 MB zip download]
- Noise and Vibration Technical Report Appendix A: Part 2 [159 MB zip download]
- Noise and Vibration Technical Report Appendix A: Part 3 [3.3 MB zip download]
- Equity Report [1 MB PDF]
Additional Documents
Design Technical Reports
- Bridge Replacement Technical Report [37.6 MB PDF]
- Construction Approach Technical Report [34.1 MB PDF]
- Enhanced Retrofit Technical Report [26.8 MB PDF]
- Geotechnical Technical Report [62.7.1 MB PDF]
- Preliminary Navigation Study [2.2 MB PDF]
Design Technical Reports Memorandums and Supporting Documents
- Bridge Design Criteria [.8 MB PDF]
- Facilities Standards List [.1 MB PDF]
- Recommendation to Remove the Fixed Bridge Alternative from Further Consideration Memorandum [.9 MB PDF]
- Roadway Deficiencies Technical Memorandum [2.6 MB PDF]
- Seismic Design Criteria [2.2 MB PDF]
- Burnside Bridge As-Builts [38.1 MB PDF]
- Active Transportation Access Options Memorandum [2.5MB PDF]
- Why the Enhanced Seismic Retrofit is not the Preferred Alternative [.4 MB PDF]
- Executive Summary [1.63 MB PDF]
- Feasibility Report [7.87 MB PDF]
- Appendix A - Problem Statement, Purpose and Need [913.94 KB PDF]
- Appendix B - Public and Stakeholder Engagement Supporting Documents [23.12 MB PDF]
- Appendix C - Alternatives Screening Technical Memorandum [8.96 MB PDF]
- Appendix D - Seismic Retrofit Report [78.71 MB PDF]
- Appendix E - Bridge Replacement Technical Memorandum [150.23 MB PDF]
- Appendix F - EQRB Resolution [1.12 MB PDF]
Comment
Draft EIS comment period: February 5 – March 24, 2021
Stay involved
Your ongoing input is essential! Please join our email list to receive project updates and a notification when the Final EIS is published.
Next steps
Thank you
Thank you for engaging with the EQRB project and the draft EIS! Public input is vital to developing a project that serves the needs of the community.
You can always access the latest project news and documents on the project website, burnsidebridge.org.
Schedule
Environmental Review Phase: 2019-2021
Key Milestones:
Summer/Fall 2019
Share information and get input on items to consider in the study
Spring 2020
Issue formal Notice of Intent and get further input on items to consider in the study
Summer 2020
Share findings from the environmental study and ask for community input on the recommended Preferred Alternative
February/March 2021
Publish the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) and get community input
Fall 2021
A Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) will respond to DEIS comments and a Record of Decision (ROD) will approve the Preferred Alternative that can then move into the Design Phase