Tilikum Crossing, Portland bridge, Portland public transport, green infrastructure, United States public transportation, green transportation, no car bridges, Portland infrastructure, cable-stay bridges, Trimet Portland

A few weeks ago, the two ends of the bridge were finally connected, showing the outline of the final design. The bridge has several unique features that make it superior to other similar projects, including its H-shaped towers that are smaller than those of most cable-stay bridges. Single cables run through the towers and connect to the deck, and offer an efficient substitute for the commonly used two sets of cables that are connected separately to the towers.

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Portland’s history is marked by city planning oriented towards public transport that favors pedestrian commuting and transit-oriented infrastructure. Robert Moses’ 1970s plan to build an east-side freeway was stopped thanks to a citizen-run campaign, resulting in reorientation of federal funds towards building Portland’s first light rail line, which was among the first ones built in the United States since WWII. Replacing a multilane along the Willamette River, a park was built in 1980s.

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According to Trimet’s executive director Blocher, the decision to restrict car traffic was made in accordance with the infrastructural configuration of the site. There are no roads leading to either end of the bridge. This project seems to continue Portland’s lengthy tradition of integrating land use and transportation planning and investing into public transportation which reduces the city inhabitants’ reliance on cars.

+ Trimet

Via Archinect, CityLab