Public invited to weigh in on Scottsburg community and historic bridge, Jan. 11

Historians with the Oregon Department of Transportation will host an open house on Wednesday, January 11, to discuss historic Scottsburg and its steel bridge with the local community. The drop-in open house is scheduled from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Scottsburg Community Center, 35066 Highway 38. Opened in 1929, an era when most vehicles were small and speeds low, the Scottsburg Bridge is less than ideal for modern traffic with narrow lanes and tight corners at both bridge ends. ODOT is designing a replacement bridge in the event that construction funding becomes available. As part of this process, ODOT historians would like learn more from the community about the historic bridge, as well as the Scottsburg area, its history and development. The purpose is to consider the design of a new bridge in relationship to the old bridge, and the historic community it serves. Visitors are encouraged to drop by, share memories and offer their thoughts. The replacement project is still in the design phase. Many details about the bridge type and project footprint have yet to be determined. ODOT attempts to hold public meetings in accessible buildings. Accommodations are provided to persons with disabilities. Alternate formats of printed material are available upon request. Please call Christie Meacham at (541) 957-3698 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting (or use statewide relay 7-1-1). For more information, visit www.ScottsburgBridge.com.