…Continued from Dr. John McLoughlin Memorial Bridge.
Portland Traction Company Bridge on February 20, 2010
The East Side Railway opened the first interurban electric railroad in the United States between Portland and Oregon City on February 16, 1893.
Portland Traction Company Bridge on February 20, 2010
This 290-foot bridge was part of that rail line, though the 260-foot main span is the second to be located here.
Portland Traction Company Bridge on February 20, 2010
The East Side Railway went into foreclosure in 1901 and became the Portland City & Oregon Railway, which then became the Oregon Water Power and Railway Company, which combined with the Portland Railway in 1906 to become the Portland Railway, Light & Power Company. It was now also Portland's only streetcar company as well an electric utility company. The name changed to Portland Electric Power Company (PEPCO) in 1924. It would become Portland General Electric in 1948.
Portland Traction Company Bridge on February 20, 2010
Historical Photo:
PEPCO Interurban Car on the Bridge (Dave's Electric Railroads)
Portland Traction Company Bridge on February 20, 2010
The streetcar lines were renamed the Portland Traction Company in the 1930s and in 1946 the interurban lines became the Portland Railroad & Terminal Division of the Portland Traction Company.
Portland Traction Company Bridge on February 20, 2010
The streetcar lines shut down in 1950 and passenger service on the interurban lines ended in 1958, though freight service continued with diesel locomotives.
Portland Traction Company Bridge on February 20, 2010
In 1962, the Portland Railroad & Terminal Division of the Portland Traction Company was sold to the Southern Pacific and Union Pacific Railroads but retained its name.
Portland Traction Company Bridge on February 20, 2010
The line between Golf Junction in Sellwood and Oregon City, including this bridge, was abandoned in August of 1968.
Portland Traction Company Bridge on February 20, 2010
The bridge remained in place, unused. It was still owned by the Union Pacific Railroad, despite the fact that the tracks that once led up to it on either side had been gone for decades.
Portland Traction Company Bridge on February 20, 2010
It would seem to have been a good candidate for conversion to a pedestrian bridge, but reportedly the railroad had shown no interest in selling it.
Portland Traction Company Bridge on February 20, 2010
By 2013, the abutment foundation on the east end of the bridge was being noticeably eroded by the Clackamas River. Removal of the bridge was already being considered when, on March 6, 2014, the abutment was observed to have significantly shifted, visibly twisting the structure of the span. With the potential danger of an uncontrolled collapse, on March 9, crews intentionally pulled the main span down into the river from the east end and began dismantling it.
Portland Traction Company Bridge on February 20, 2010
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