“The big day is finally here for Sauvie Island residents, businesses and visitors,” said County Commissioner Maria Rojo de Steffey, who led efforts to secure funds for the new bridge. “The cracks on the old bridge were discovered less than seven years ago. The bridge that opens today will help ensure that the island’s farms and rural way of life can continue for generations to come.”

While cars, trucks, buses and bicyclists can use the new bridge today, pedestrians will need to wait a few more months. Sidewalks at the mainland end of the new bridge cannot be completed until the old bridge is removed. Removal of the old bridge will also allow the contractor to widen the new bridge at its Highway 30 end, to create room for a second turn lane for traffic leaving the island.

Other project work that will be completed this summer and fall includes:
· Removing the approach ramp to the old bridge
· Widening and recontouring the ramp to the new bridge
· Grading and paving two Gillihan Road connections to Sauvie Island Road at the bridge. The nearest Gillihan Road connection to the bridge will close today and reopen in the fall.
· Paving and landscaping a parking area and bus stop on the island.

Work this week will also require lane closures on Highway 30 near the bridge between the hours of 9 am and 3 pm. Two lanes will always remain open in the dominant travel direction during peak commute hours.

Multnomah County maintains the Sauvie Island Bridge and more than 300 miles of roads and bridges.

Volunteer Opportunities: Two busy weeks are in front of us as we get ready to celebrate the opening of the bridge and prepare for the annual 4th of July run. Contact Lynnda Steenslid, 503-621-9604, if you can volunteer to work our food booth at the Bridge Opening on Sunday, June 22nd. We have a sign up sheet in half hour increments. Kathy Andresen is preparing for the 4th of July fundraiser. You can volunteer to serve the strawberry shortcake, give water on the route or set up and clean up. This year the event will be staged from the Pumpkin Patch. Call Kathy at 503-621-9847. Come to the GWA meeting on Wednesday, June 18 to help us decide if we want to make biscuits this year. The strawberries are coming to us already prepared this year. It’s all fun when there are many to help.

Grange Rental Policy: We worked on finalizing a new Grange rental policy including new rental rates: Grange members $50 per day, Island residents $150 per day and non-island residents $200 per day, plus $75 for use of the kitchen for island and non-island residents. Next month we will review the rental contract.

June Activities:
June 22nd – Bridge Grand Opening 11:00 am to 4:00 pm – volunteer to work the booth

July Activities:

July 4th – Annual 4th of July half marathon – volunteer to work the booth or route
July 14th – Monthly Grange meeting: 7:30 pm
July 16th – Monthly GWA meeting: 1:30 pm

Thanks for your help RESTOCK OUR DRAWERS!
Regards, the Sauvie Island School PTC

Business Hours:
Mon. thru Sat. 8:00am till 6:00pm
Sun. 1:00pm till 4:00pm
After hours and holidays available with prior approval.

Business Phone: 503-621-3597
Business Email: deshade@msn.com
Business Address: 19322 NW Sauvie Island Rd. Portland, OR 97231
Website: www.minoggiekennel.com

Each of these clothing items include a beautiful embroidered Sauvie Island Logo:
Adult Blue 1/4 zip sweatshirt $18.00
Adult Black fleece vest $18.00 (size small only)
Youth Black fleece $12.00
Green t-shirt $5.00 (Great Price)
Black & white ringer t-shirt $5.00 (Great Price)
Youth hoody – blue $12.00
Youth hoody - grey $15.00
Headband black $7.00
Youth Beanie caps $7.00
Baseball cap $5.00
Fleece Blanket $20.00 (blue with carry strap)
Special orders are available, but delivery is not possible before Christmas!

Jane Hartline is the recipient of the Volunteer of the Year Award “to honor your conservation and volunteer work. Not only have you frequently provided your home as a place for the community to learn about conservation issues, such as the western pond turtle, but your farm is a good model for ways to improve practices and protect wildlife and you have worked to improve the capacity and services of the Conservation District.”

Dave and Diane Kunkel are the recipients of the Large Operation Cooperator of the Year Award “to honor the good farming and conservation work that you and your family have accomplished. You provide a good model for adopting ways to improve your farm, protect water quality and protect wildlife, and have provided your local community a worthy example of leadership in addressing conservation issues on Sauvie Island. For several years you have also given critical service to the island’s dike and drainage district, fire district and school district.

Congratulations!

Sauvie Island Cove Park has been nicknamed ‘The Island Community.” If you have a vintage Air Stream trailer, you might want to consider parking it year round at Island Cove Park, making it your own vacation getaway cabin. Then you, too, could become part of “The Island Community.’

COMING SOON to the park is a new organic deli and store, stocked with fine wines, micro brewed beers, and picnic essentials for the ultimate getaway.

Business Hours: Open all year, call for availability
Business Phone: 503-621-9701
Business Address: 31421 N. W. Reeder Road
Business E-mail: info@islandcovepark.com
Web Address: www.islandcovepark.com

After crossing the Sauvie Island Bridge, go north on Sauvie Island Road for about two miles. Turn east on Reeder Road and continue on that road for 8 miles. Island Cove Park is across the street from the Portland Yacht Club.