06-03-2025
ODOT intends to buy portion of Hayden Island to offset impacts of I-5 bridge replacement
PORTLAND, Ore. () — The group behind the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program is awaiting feedback on their proposed purchase of a portion of Hayden Island.
The Oregon Department of State Lands began on the potential sale of 65 acres of the property on Wednesday.
The Oregon Department of Transportation wants to purchase the land, located on the south shore of the west side of the island, to fulfill the City of Portland's requirements for 'anticipated compensatory mitigation.'
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ODOT aims to modernize the Interstate 5 bridge connecting Portland to Vancouver over the Columbia River. According to the agency and Washington's transportation regulators, the bridge's current foundation makes it vulnerable to earthquakes. Program leaders have also cited congestion and narrow paths for pedestrians and cyclists, for the 108-year-old structure.
Although the portion of Hayden Island that officials hope to buy is not located within the City of Portland, it sits within the city's urban growth boundary and could be affected by changes made under the bridge replacement project.
The state lands board approved the due diligence period for the potential sale of the property during a . At that meeting, ODSL Deputy Director of Land Management Chris Castelli said transportation officials would be expected to maintain the natural state of the parcel 'in perpetuity.'
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Bill Warncke, deputy environmental manager for ODOT and the replacement project, explained that the sale would result in the removal of dredged soils from that portion of Hayden Island to prevent flooding.
'While we're doing that, our intent is to improve habitat for listed salmonids and other aquatic species in North Portland…' Warncke said. 'If you approve the sale, we'll buy the land, put a conservation easement on it and that conservation easement will allow further restoration and enhancement on that site.'
DSL will accept comments on the proposed purchase through Saturday, Apr. 19.
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