Willamette River Bridges: Hawthorne Bridge

Hawthorne Bridge on May 30, 2008

The Hawthorne Bridge is the oldest operating vertical lift bridge in the United States and the oldest highway bridge in Portland.

Hawthorne Bridge on May 30, 2008

It is named for Dr. James C. Hawthorne, founder of the Oregon State Hospital.

Hawthorne Bridge on May 30, 2008

The Hawthorne Bridge replaced two previous Madison Bridges built here in 1891 and 1900.

Hawthorne Bridge on September 7, 2008

The five-span bridge is 1,382 feet long, with a 244-foot vertical-lift span.

Hawthorne Bridge on September 7, 2008

Each of the two counterweights weighs 450 tons.

Hawthorne Bridge on September 7, 2008

The 72-foot-wide deck includes two traffic lanes inside the through trusses and an outboard lane and sidewalk on each side.

Hawthorne Bridge on September 7, 2008

Bridge Type:	Through Truss Vertical Lift
Opened:	December 19, 1910
Designed by:	Waddell & Harrington, Kansas City, MO
Built by:	Pennsylvania Steel Company United Engineering & Construction
Total Length:	1,382 feet
Lift Span Length:	244 feet
Width:	72 feet
Closed Vertical Clearance:	49 feet
Tower Height:	165 feet
Construction Cost:	$511,000
Owned by:	Multnomah County

Hawthorne Bridge on September 7, 2008

Historical Photos:
View of a previous Madison Bridge (Oregon Historical Society)
Hawthorne Bridge (Oregon Historical Society)
Hawthorne Bridge (Portland Waterfront History)
Hawthorne Bridge (Portland Waterfront History)
Sternwheeler & Hawthorne Bridge (Multnomah County Genweb)
Hawthorne Bridge fully raised (Multnomah County Genweb)
Streetcar on the Hawthorne Bridge (Dave's Electric Railroads)
Streetcar on the Hawthorne Bridge (Dave's Electric Railroads)
Hawthorne Bridge (Oregon State Library)
Trolleybus on the Hawthorne Bridge (Oregon Historical Society)
Hawthorne Bridge during the 1964 Flood (ODOT History Center)

Hawthorne Bridge on September 10, 2008

Continue to Morrison Bridge…

Willamette River Bridges: Marquam Bridge

Marquam Bridge on September 7, 2008

The Marquam Bridge is a double-deck cantilever bridge that carries Interstate 5, designed and built by the Oregon Department of Transportation at a cost of $14 million.

Marquam Bridge on September 7, 2008

The lower southbound deck opened on October 4, 1966, and the northbound upper deck opened on October 18, 1966.

Marquam Bridge on September 7, 2008

The bridge is 1,042 feet long; the center span is 440 feet long and the other two spans are each 301 feet long. The bridge has vertical clearance of 130 feet to the lower level, and the upper level is 20 feet higher. The bridge is 57 feet wide.

Marquam Bridge on August 19, 2007

It is named for Philip Augustus Marquam, an early Portland resident and real estate developer, and represented Multnomah County in the Oregon House of Representatives.

Marquam Bridge on August 19, 2007

Bridge Type:	Double-deck Cantilever
Opened:	October 1966
Total Length:	1,042 feet
Center Span Length:	440 feet
Width:	57 feet
Vertical Clearance:	130 feet
Construction cost:	$14 million
Carries:	Interstate 5
Owned by:	Oregon Department of Transportation

Marquam Bridge on August 19, 2007

Historical Photos:
Marquam Bridge construction, 1964 (Portland Auditor's Office)

Marquam Bridge on August 19, 2007

Continue to Hawthorne Bridge…

Willamette River Bridges: Ross Island Bridge

Ross Island Bridge on June 10, 2006

Though it looks like a deck arch bridge, the Ross Island Bridge is the only cantilever truss bridge in Oregon.

Ross Island Bridge on July 13, 2007

Despite its name, it does not physically connect to Ross Island in any way and is located about 800 feet north of the island.

Ross Island Bridge on July 13, 2007

It was designed by Gustav Lindenthal, built by Booth & Pomeroy at a cost of $1.9 million and opened on December 21, 1926.

Ross Island Bridge on July 13, 2007

The entire bridge is over 3,700 feet long. The cantilever truss is 1,819 feet long, with a 535-foot main span.

Ross Island Bridge on July 13, 2007

The Ross Island Bridge carries US Highway 26. It was originally owned by Multnomah County, but was transferred to the Oregon Department of Transportation in 1976.

Ross Island Bridge on August 19, 2007

Bridge Type:	Cantilever Truss
Opened:	December 21, 1926
Designed by:	Gustav Lindenthal
Built by:	Booth & Pomeroy
Total Length:	over 3,700 feet
Truss Length:	1,819 feet
Main Span Length:	535 feet
Construction Cost:	$1.9 million
Carries:	U.S. Highway 26
Built for:	Multnomah County
Owned by:	Oregon Department of Transportation

Ross Island Bridge on December 5, 2009

In this view the cruise boat Portland Spirit is passing under the Ross Island Bridge on December 5, 2009.

Continue to Marquam Bridge…

Willamette River Bridges: Sellwood Bridge

Sellwood Bridge on April 26, 2008

The Sellwood Bridge is the southernmost Willamette River Bridge that is technically within Portland, as Sellwood was annexed into Portland in 1893.

Sellwood Bridge on April 26, 2008

The Sellwood Bridge is a four-span continuous-truss bridge. It opened on December 15, 1925, and is one of only three pre-1941 continuous-truss bridges in Oregon. It was designed by Gustav Lindenthal, who also designed Portland's Burnside Bridge and Ross Island Bridge and New York City's Hell Gate Bridge and Queensboro Bridge.

Sellwood Bridge on April 26, 2008

The total length of the bridge is 1,971 feet. The four main spans form a 1,092-foot continuous Warren deck truss. The two center spans are each 300 feet long, while the other two are 246 feet long.

Sellwood Bridge on April 26, 2008

Steel girders from the first Burnside Bridge, built in 1894, were used in the approaches of the Sellwood Bridge. The steel was fabricated by the Judson Manufacturing Company and the bridge was constructed by Gilpin Construction Company of Portland. The bridge was built at a cost of $541,000.

Sellwood Bridge on April 26, 2008

The two-lane bridge features a 24-foot roadway with a single 4'-3" sidewalk on the north side. It has 75 feet of vertical clearance. It is the busiest two-lane bridge in Oregon.

Sellwood Bridge on April 26, 2008

Cracks discovered in the approaches in January 2004 led to the weight limit being lowered to 10 tons. Construction of a new Sellwood Bridge began in December 2011, with completion scheduled for January 2016. The old Sellwood Bridge will then be demolished.

Sellwood Bridge on April 26, 2008

Bridge Type:	Four-span continuous-truss (Warren deck truss)
Opened:	December 15, 1925
Designed by:	Gustav Lindenthal
Fabricated by:	Judson Manufacturing Company
Built by:	Gilpin Construction Company, Portland, OR
Total Length:	1,971 feet
Truss Length:	1,092 feet
Vertical Clearance:	75 feet
Construction Cost:	$541,000
Owned by:	Multnomah County

Sellwood Bridge Dedication Plaque on September 24, 2010

Continue to Ross Island Bridge…

Willamette River Bridges: Lake Oswego Railroad Bridge

Lake Oswego Railroad Bridge on October 22, 2007

The two through truss spans of this railroad bridge between Lake Oswego and Milwaukie are dated 1907. 

Lake Oswego Railroad Bridge on October 22, 2007

Each truss span is 298 feet long. The east approach is a slightly-curved 668-foot wood trestle. Total length with approaches is 1,378 feet.

Lake Oswego Railroad Bridge on October 22, 2007

The line between Milwaukie and Lake Oswego was completed and opened in 1910. This route was originally built by the Southern Pacific Railroad, which was acquired by the Union Pacific Railroad in 1996.

Lake Oswego Railroad Bridge on October 22, 2007

The line is currently operated by the Portland & Western Railroad, which has leased the line since 1995.

Lake Oswego Railroad Bridge on October 23, 2007

These pictures were all taken from Rivervilla Park on the east side of the river.

Lake Oswego Railroad Bridge on October 23, 2007

Bridge Type:	Through Truss
Opened:	1910
Built by:	Southern Pacific Railroad
Total Length:	1,378 feet
Main Span Length:	298 feet x 2
Owned by:	Union Pacific Railroad

Lake Oswego Railroad Bridge on October 26, 2007

Continue to Sellwood Bridge…

Willamette River Bridges: George Abernethy Memorial Bridge

George Abernethy Memorial Bridge on August 19, 2006

This steel plate and box girder bridge opened on May 3, 1970 carrying Interstate 205's 6 lanes across the Willamette River. It was built near the location of Abernethy's home. The bridge is made up of 15 spans and 60 girders. The bridge is 2,727 feet long. The longest span is 430 feet long, and maximum vertical clearance at low river level is 85 feet. The entire bridge is built on a slope such that southbound traffic is going uphill for the entire length of the bridge and for a half-mile beyond. The bridge was built at a cost of $15.9 million, and an $8 million seismic retrofit was done from 1999 to 2002.

George Abernethy Memorial Bridge on August 19, 2006

The bridge was designated the "George Abernethy Memorial Bridge" by the 1979 Oregon Legislature. George Abernethy arrived in Oregon on June 2, 1840 as part of Jason Lee's Methodist Willamette Mission at Champoeg. He was involved in the series of meetings to form the Oregon Country's provisional government, and became the first provisional Governor in 1845. Abernethy served two terms as Governor, until 1849, when Oregon became a territory of the United States and the provisional government ceased to exist. Abernethy's home was located on the east bank on the Willamette River near Oregon City.

George Abernethy Memorial Bridge on February 20, 2010

Bridge Type:	Steel Plate/Box Girder
Opened:	May 3, 1970
Total Length:	2,727 feet
Longest Span:	430 feet
Vertical Clearance:	85 feet
Construction Cost	$15.9 million
Carries:	Interstate 205
Owned by:	Oregon Department of Transportation

George Abernethy Memorial Bridge on February 20, 2010

Continue to Lake Oswego Railroad Bridge…

Willamette River Bridges: Oregon City Bridge

Willamette River Bridge in Oregon City on August 19, 2006

The first suspension bridge west of the Mississippi River was erected here in 1888. This concrete arch bridge was built in 1922 to replace it. The suspension cables from the original bridge were used to support the current bridge during construction.

Willamette River Bridge in Oregon City on August 19, 2006

The bridge was designed by Conde B. McCullough, and the bridge's Art Deco details are typical of McCullough's designs. Though officially named simply the Willamette River Bridge, it is often referred to as the Oregon City Bridge to avoid confusion with other bridges.

Willamette River Bridge in Oregon City on August 19, 2006

The bridge features a 360-foot half-through arch main span, and is one of only four of this type of bridge in Oregon.

Willamette River Bridge in Oregon City on August 19, 2006

Though the bridge structure appears to be built entirely of concrete, the arch is actually steel and is covered with a protective layer of sprayed-on concrete called gunite.

Willamette River Bridge in Oregon City on August 19, 2006

The bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 1, 2005.

Willamette River Bridge in Oregon City on August 19, 2006

Bridge Type:	Half-through Arch
Opened:	December 28, 1922
Designed by:	Conde B. McCullough
Built by:	A. Guthrie & Company, Portland, OR
Total Length:	745 feet
Main Span Length:	360 feet
Width:	28 feet
Vertical Clearance:	49 feet
Construction Cost:	$300,000
Carries:	Oregon Highway 43
Owned by:	Oregon Department of Transportation

Willamette River Bridge in Oregon City on February 1, 2010

These views of the Oregon City Bridge were taken from the Willamette Falls Locks on February 1, 2010 as the sternwheeler Willamette Queen passed through the locks and down the Willamette River toward Portland.

Willamette River Bridge in Oregon City on February 1, 2010

Historical Photos:
Oregon City Suspension Bridge (Oregon State Library)
Oregon City Suspension Bridge, 1890 (Oregon State Library)
Oregon City Suspension Bridge (Oregon State Library)
Oregon City Suspension Bridge (Oregon State Library)
Oregon City Suspension Bridge (Oregon State Library)
Oregon City Suspension Bridge (Oregon State Library)
View of Oregon City Suspension Bridge (Oregon State Library)
View of Oregon City Suspension Bridge (Oregon State Library)
View of Oregon City Suspension Bridge (Oregon State Library)
View of Oregon City Bridge, Feb. 1961 (Salem Public Library)
View of Oregon City Bridge, Feb. 1961 (Salem Public Library)

Willamette River Bridge in Oregon City on February 20, 2010

Continue to George Abernethy Memorial Bridge…