MCKENZIE BRIDGE, Oregon (STPNS) -- VIDA: While construction is underway, the Goodpasture bridge will close overnight twice next month. The first night closure is scheduled from 8 p.m. on Friday, November 2, to 5 a.m. on Saturday, November 3, 2012.

A second next night closure will occur from 8 p.m. on Friday, November 9, to 5 a.m. Saturday, November 10.

A detour route for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists will not be available during the bridge closures. Firefighting equipment  and

an emergency response vehicle will be parked on the south side of the bridge before the bridge is closed. McKenzie Fire & Rescue has developed a response plan to address any medical or fire emergencies.



In the event of a medical emergency, the 911 dispatcher will contact the emergency service providers and the onsite bridge inspector. In that situation, work on the bridge will be stopped immediately and the construction zone stabilized to allow passage of emergency personnel. The first responders will park on the north side of the bridge, then walk across the bridge and use the emergency response vehicle parked on the south side to get to the emergency. The first responders will then transport the patient to the bridge where the ambulance will be waiting for them. If the call requires the use of a helicopter, then one will be dispatched and will land at one of the two predetermined landing zones on the south side of the bridge.

In the event of a fire emergency, the response will be a procedure similar. The Fire District already has two fire apparatus parked on the south side of the bridge. A private owner is allowing the Fire District to use their property in order to reach Goodpasture Rd. It will however take several minutes to get there.

“Lane County would like to thank McKenzie Fire & Rescue, Weyerhaeuser, Whitewater Ranch, the BLM, Conway Construction, and OBEC for their support, cooperation, and the extra effort while the closures are in effect,” according to project engineer Brad Lemhouse. For more information, hr can be contacted @ (541) 682-6928 or brad.lemhouse@co.lane.or.us.