Work to make the Center Street Bridge more likely to survive an earthquake is expected to begin in the spring, bringing along with it potentially major traffic disruptions for those heading across the river into downtown Salem.

The seismic retrofitting will require whittling down traffic coming onto the Center Street Bridge to one lane for six months during the three-year construction period, according to Oregon Department of Transportation officials and consultants.

The project will also require entirely shutting down eastbound Oregon Highway 22 for up to four nights, according to ODOT Public Information Officer Mindy McCartt.

Most impact to Salem drivers will come from the three months of lane closures coming into downtown.

“Traffic will be reduced to one lane from Wallace Road and o

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