Springwater Corridor, Oregon
The Springwater Corridor Willamette River extension is a 3-mile rail-with-trail that now provides a critical link from a dense neighborhood to downtown Portland. Previous bikeway options for this connection were limited to hazardous on-street routes, and the railroad corridor experienced high rates of trespassing. The new trail is unbroken for most of its length, which helps encourage significant bike commuting, recreation, and exercise. Alta Principal George Hudson was actively involved in all aspects of development of this trail, including negotiations with the rail line to acquire rights to build this trail. The project required relocation of three miles of rail tracks, and development of two trail under-crossings and one at-grade rail crossing. Additional issues included acquisition of regulatory permitting with significant wildlife issues at Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge, which the trail passes through.
