(Oct. 16, 2014) Commissioner Steve Novick will join neighborhood leaders, community members and Portland Bureau of Transportation staff in celebrating the reopening of the Thurman Street Bridge on Friday, after a rehabilitation project that modernized the oldest bridge in Oregon. As part of the celebration, a Portland Fire & Rescue fire truck will cross the bridge for the first time in about 20 years. PBOT experts will be on hand to describe a recent award for the project from the Oregon Chapter of the American Public Works Association.

WHO:   Commissioner Steve Novick

Phil Selinger, Northwest District Association

David O'Longaigh, City Bridge Engineer   

Robert Hadlow, Historian for the Oregon Department of Transportation

WHAT:  Celebration of the reopening of the Thurman Street Bridge

WHEN:  10:30-11 a.m., Friday, Oct. 17, 2014

WHERE:  Entrance to Macleay Park, 2960 NW Upshur St. Vehicle parking is very limited. News media and public are advised to arrive early, park and walk.

WHY:  The modernization of the oldest bridge in Oregon means that PBOT can lift a weight restriction that had limited fire truck and bus access to Northwest Portland neighborhoods. PBOT, Portland Fire & Rescue and the Northwest Portland community are celebrating the reopening, after a six-month closure for construction.

VISUALS:  Commissioner Novick, staff and community members to unveil a bridge plaque replica. Participants will walk to the bridge and view the first crossing by a Portland fire truck in about 20 years.

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