On Thursday, September 15, 2022, the City of Independence commemorated the re-opening of the F Street Bridge by cutting a red ribbon, signaling a new era for this essential piece of our city’s infrastructure. Over 30 attendees helped cut the ribbon, including Chief Ben Stange from Polk County Fire District 1, Representative Paul Evans, Senator Deb Patterson, ODOT Area 3 Manager Anna Henson, Lead Bridge Engineer from OTAK Scott Nettleton, Independence Public Works Director Gerald Fisher, and Independence City Manager Kenna West.
As the only crossing on the South Fork of Ash Creek on the south side of OR-51, the city prioritized the replacement of the F Street Bridge. Funded in part by the Oregon Department of Transportation, the bridge provides a convenient way out of the south development area and, along with future projects, will continue to relieve congestion concerns at 7th and Monmouth Street. Additionally, emergency services now have increased access to the neighboring residential areas as the previous bridge harbored a weight limit that refrained emergency response vehicles from passing over it.
The bridge is also a great complement to the beauty of Inspiration Garden, which sits directly adjacent to the structure and is a visible indicator of our commitment to re-investing in our community. Forward-thinking projects like this help us stay ahead of problems, ensuring that Independence remains a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family for generations to come.
Look forward to a forthcoming video with all the speeches from the event.
