Oregon Public Broadcasting

A U.S. Senate subcommittee has given preliminary approval for money to help rebuild the Sellwood Bridge. April Baer reports that it's just a part of the $320 million needed to replace the span.

For eighty-plus years the bridge has reached across the Willamette. It's the oldest in Portland, and carries more passengers than any other two-lane bridge in the state.

This has been a big week for the project.

First, Governor Kulongoski signed a major state transportation package that includes part of the money needed for the Sellwood Bridge.

Now a Senate panel has approved $1.3 million.

County spokesman Mike Pullen  "It's a relatively small amount of money when you compare it to all the money we need. But we hope it's sort of planting the seed for the larger federal contribution to come."

The appropriations bill still must clear both houses of Congress and signed by the President.