The Portland City Council voted down a plan to turn the old Sauvie Island Bridge into a freeway crossing for bicyclists.

The proposal was to reuse the retired bridge as a pedestrian and bicycle bridge in Northwest Portland at Interstate 405 at NW Flanders Street.

On Wednesday, the council voted 3-2 against the project, with the lack of funding for a possibly $7 million project.

Commissioner Sam Adams wanted to vote on the proposal before the retirement of Commissioner Eric Sten Wednesday. Adams said safety was a big part of the reason for the bridge recycling plan.

Commissioners opposed voiced concern that there was not enough city money for the no-bid contract to get the bridge in place by the end of the year. The contractor estimated the project could cost between $5 million and $7 million.

Mayor Tom Potter said Tuesday he opposed the plan, citing costs.

The neighborhood was already slated for a pedestrian bridge at some point. Previous plans would've called for something narrower, costing $1.5 million less.