Concerned with the safety of Portland’s Sellwood Bridge, Multnomah County embarked on an ambitious and complex project to replace the bridge. The new bridge structure will be able to withstand potential major earthquakes, support heavy traffic, and has improved safety for pedestrians, bikers, and motorists. Work disrupted an important commuting route.

Treating youth as key stakeholders, LCA worked with over 2,000 students at 12 schools throughout the County, and their parents. By creating and leading interactive hands-on activities, LCA offered meaningful educational opportunities related to the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) fields that bridge replacement involves. Students learned about the range of careers associated with this project, and worked side-by-side with over 70 team members who volunteered their time to work with students in the classroom and at the project site.

By participating in project-related public events and making presentations at County Commission meetings, students had opportunities to interact with public officials and learn about civic engagement. Some students even created permanent fixtures for the bridge, including bat habitat boxes and four benches. LCA’s school program generated over a dozen instances of positive media coverage for the County and helped build a sense of community ownership of the project.