Grant for Old Salem Railroad Bridge Approved

Photo By: Tim King

(SALEM) - The City of Salem has received word that its grant request to the Recreational Trails Program for $97,000 for the Union Street Railroad Bridge project has been approved for funding.

Recreational Trails Program funds, which are passed through to the states by the Federal Highway Administration for development and repair of trails and trail-supporting facilities, are administered in this state by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.

The historic Union Street Railroad Bridge and Trestle, which crosses the Willamette River between West Salem and the north end of the downtown, is being converted into a pedestrian/bicycle connector between Wallace Marine Park and Riverfront Park.

When combined with $35,000 from several city sources the grant will pay for the approach path between Wallace Road and the end of the timber trestle on the west side; and the access improvements at the east end of the steel bridge truss. The City is pursuing a strategy of maximizing the use of grant funding for the Union Street Railroad Bridge project and the Recreational Trails grant is the first to be received. Securing a first grant often helps with subsequent requests.

Applications totaling more than $2,000,000 are currently being prepared. Upon hearing of the Recreational Trails Program award, City Councilor Jim Randall, who is also working on a proposal to build a pedestrian bridge from Riverfront Park to Minto Island, said "This is one more positive step in our journey to connect the dots in Salem. We are building a series of inner city connections...from the Capitol to the Carrousel and from bank to bank on the Willamette River ...that will rival any city in the country". Individuals wishing to make a private contribution to the Union Street Railroad Conversion Project can do so by sending a check or money order, payable to the City of Salem, with a note indicating a donation to the Salem Railroad Bridge Redevelopment Donations account, to:
City of Salem
Finance - Room 230
Project Accounting Office
555 Liberty Street SE
Salem, OR 97301