Blazers Lead "Corporate Challenge" For Bridge Closure

Salem, Oregon -- The Portland Trail Blazers and several major corporations are adding their support to prepare for the Interstate Bridge closure, scheduled to begin on September 16. Corporate challenge partners including Bank of America, Fred Meyer, G.I. Joe's, ODS Health Plan, KGW Northwest Newschannel 8 and 1190 KEX radio have prepared their companies and employees with options to reduce traffic congestion during the closure.

After arriving by a C-TRAN bus, the Oregon and Washington State Departments of Transportation (ODOT and WSDOT) congratulated the group on their foresight and support of the project's commute alternatives. "Many businesses in the Portland and Vancouver areas have begun making preparations for the bridge closure," said Don Wagner, ODOT region manager. "We thank the companies gathered here today who have taken the lead in helping make the transportation alternatives for the project a success," added Wagner.

Harry Hutt, Blazer senior vice president of marketing operations, said his company recognizes the impacts the bridge closure will have on the area. "We want to do all we can to minimize the impact that this will have on the community," said Hutt. "There is a lot of buzz out there right now about the bridge repair project." He added, "A number of businesses are working in partnership with their employees to help make a difference. Our goal with the corporate challenge is to sustain the awareness and momentum in the business community and to get as many companies as possible on board to help dilute the commute."

Bank of America vice president of public affairs, Rich Brown, discussed several methods of trip reduction his company is using during the closure. "We plan to expand our existing flex time, telecommuting and transit subsidy programs," said Brown. ODS Health Plan director of corporate communications, Carol Peggy, added her company's preparations "We anticipate shuttling people from Vancouver to Portland by boat." Ed Ariniello, spokesman from G.I. Joe's, also shared his company's commute alternatives. "We plan to fund mass transit costs for our employees, transfer employees to stores closer to where they live, reimburse gas costs to the driver of employee carpools and encourage job sharing," said Ariniello. Fred Meyer will be offering shuttles from Amtrak and C-TRAN junctions and vanpools from a southwest Washington store directly to the main office. "The advantages of flex time will be considered as well," said Pat Vernon, Fred Meyer's environmental affairs manager.

Employee commute alternatives available to businesses during the project include extended, free C-TRAN services, extended Tri-Met service, free Amtrak service, car and van-pools with use of the High Occupancy Vehicle lanes on I-5 and I-205 as well as telecommuting, flex time and a number of other options. For more commute information, call the bridge project hot line at 1-800-722-6557.