Tigard Bridge Dedication

    For a few weeks now bicyclists, walkers and joggers have been using the Ki-a-kuts bridge, which links Tigard’s Cook Park, Tualatin Community Park and Durham City Park, but it won't actually be dedicated till this weekend, Saturday at 11 a.m.  Following the ceremony, everyone is invited to enjoy a free ice cream social at noon at Tualatin Community Park’s newest playground.  Tualatin Mayor Lou Ogden, Tigard Mayor Craig Dirksen, Durham Mayor Gery Schirado, Washington County Commissioner Roy Rogers and project managers will be on hand along with William “Wink” Soderberg of the Grand Ronde Tribal Council. 

    The original inhabitants of the Tualatin Valley were the Atfalati band of the Kalapuya Tribe.  In the 1850s Ki-a-kuts was the head of this band which is where the name comes from.

     The bridge has been several years in the making and cost $2.9 million, with state funding contributing $11.3 million, Tigard $593,000, Tualatin $412,000 and Durham $26,000.  Clean Water Services contributed $853,000 because it installed force mains across the bridge during the construction, so with that addition, the bridge cost nearly $3.8 million.  Also, Tigard constructed a pathway from Cook Park to the bridge that cost nearly $120,000 and was paid for by a state grant.

    The idea is that the bridge is going to be a major thoroughfare for people in the local communities in a few years.  It connects three major public, outdoor areas totaling 200 acres.

http://www.tigardtimes.com/news/story.php?story_id=118239073881313900