How Many Bridges In Portland Or

How many bridges in Portland OR is a question that often arises for travelers, urban planners, and curious locals who marvel at the city’s nickname, “Bridge City.” Portland, Oregon, sits at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers, and its landscape is threaded with dozens of spans that connect neighborhoods, allow commerce, and define the skyline. This article explores the exact count, the variety of bridge types, the historical milestones that shaped them, and what the future holds for these vital pieces of infrastructure. By the end, you’ll have a clear picture of not just how many bridges exist, but why each one matters to the fabric of Portland life.

Overview of Portland's Bridge Network

Portland’s bridge inventory includes structures that cross the Willamette River, the Columbia River, smaller creeks, rail lines, and major highways. In practice, while the exact number can shift slightly as new pedestrian or bike‑only spans are added and older ones are retired, the most recent official tally from the City of Portland’s Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) stands at 12 major vehicular bridges plus over 30 smaller pedestrian, bicycle, and rail bridges. When all categories are combined, the city boasts approximately 45 distinct bridges that are publicly maintained and open to some form of traffic Still holds up..

Breaking Down the Numbers

The core of Portland’s identity as “Bridge City” stems from the 12 major vehicular bridges that span the Willamette River. These are the structures most visitors notice when driving across downtown, and they have become iconic symbols in photographs, postcards, and local art Less friction, more output..

The Willamette River Bridges

The Willamette River cuts through the heart of Portland, and crossing it efficiently has been a priority since the city’s founding. Below is a concise list of the 12 primary vehicular bridges, ordered from north to south, with a note on each bridge’s distinguishing features The details matter here..

1. St. Johns Bridge – A Gothic‑revival suspension bridge completed in 1931, famous for its towering green arches and scenic views of Forest Park.
2. Fremont Bridge – Part of Interstate 405, this double‑deck steel arch bridge carries both east‑west traffic and a dedicated bike/pedestrian path on its lower level.
3. Broadway Bridge – A bascule (drawbridge) built in 1913, known for its distinctive orange paint and frequent openings for river traffic.
4. Burnside Bridge – Another bascule bridge, opened in 1926, linking the historic Burnside Street corridor and featuring a recent seismic retrofit.
5. Steel Bridge – A rare vertical-lift double‑deck bridge that accommodates rail, light rail, vehicular, and pedestrian traffic on separate levels. Completed in 1912, it remains a engineering marvel.
6. Hawthorne Bridge – The oldest operating vehicular bridge in Portland (1910), a truss bridge that is also a popular bike route.
7. Morrison Bridge – A bascule bridge opened in 1958, notable for its modern lighting scheme that changes colors for holidays and events.
8. Belmar Bridge – Actually the Belmar Pedestrian Bridge, a small span linking the South Waterfront to the OHSU campus; included here for completeness as a mixed‑use crossing.
9. Ross Island Bridge – A cantilever truss bridge completed in 1922, connecting Southwest Portland to the industrial Ross Island area.
10. Sellwood Bridge – Replaced in 2016 with a modern, seismic‑resistant concrete arch bridge that improved safety and added wider bike lanes.
11. Tilikum Crossing – Opened in 2015, this cable‑stayed bridge is exclusive to transit, bicycles, and pedestrians; it is often called the “Bridge of the People.”
12. Glisan Street Bridge – A modest concrete girder bridge that primarily serves local traffic in the Northwest Industrial district.

Each of these bridges tells a story: from the early 20th‑century truss and bascule designs that accommodated horse‑drawn wagons and streetcars, to the modern seismic upgrades and pedestrian‑focused spans that reflect Portland’s commitment to sustainability and multimodal transport Small thing, real impact..

Other Notable Bridges Across Portland

Beyond the Willamette, Portland’s bridge network includes several spans over the Columbia River, smaller waterways, and rail corridors that are essential for regional connectivity.

Columbia River Crossings

• Interstate Bridge (I‑5) – A twin‑span steel truss bridge linking Portland to Vancouver, Washington. Though technically shared with Washington State, it is a critical artery for Interstate 5 traffic.
• Glenn L. Jackson Memorial Bridge (I‑205) – A cable‑stayed bridge completed in 1982, providing a high‑capacity alternate route for I‑205 traffic and featuring a scenic viewpoint over the river.

Creek and Rail Bridges

• Johnson Creek Bridges – Multiple small concrete and steel spans that allow neighborhood streets to cross this urban creek, supporting flood management and trail connections.
• Union Pacific Rail Bridge – A historic steel truss bridge near the Albina district that carries freight trains and is a focal point for rail‑enthusiast photography.
• MAX Light Rail Bridges – Several purpose‑built bridges for the Metropolitan Area Express (MAX) system, including the Steel Bridge’s lower deck and the newer Orange Line bridge over the Willamette near OMSI.

Pedestrian and Bike‑Focused Spans

• Eastbank Esplanade Bridges – A series of low‑profile, architecturally distinctive bridges that connect the Eastbank Esplanade trail to parks and neighborhoods.
• Springwater Corridor Bridges – Wooden and steel trestles that support the popular Springwater Trail, offering scenic rides through wetlands and urban farms.
• Floating Bridge at Tom McCall Waterfront Park – A temporary, modular pontoon

Continuing onward, the Floating Bridge at Tom McCall Waterfront Park serves as a temporary, modular pontoon structure that was erected to provide a seasonal pedestrian crossing during the park’s annual river‑front festivals. And designed with an emphasis on rapid deployment and environmental sensitivity, the bridge can be assembled and dismantled within a single weekend, allowing the waterway to return to its natural state while still offering visitors an unobstructed view of the river’s flow. Its translucent panels and low‑profile railings blend into the surrounding landscape, reinforcing the city’s commitment to preserving visual corridors and minimizing visual clutter in public spaces Not complicated — just consistent..

Another noteworthy span is the Cable Bridge over the South Fork of the Willamette, a modest yet elegant steel cable‑stayed structure completed in 2021. Consider this: although its span is relatively short, the bridge’s sleek, translucent deck and integrated lighting fixtures have turned it into a night‑time landmark, guiding cyclists and joggers along the expanding Riverfront Loop. The design incorporates recycled steel and a weather‑resistant composite decking material, reflecting Portland’s ongoing efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of its infrastructure projects.

Further afield, the Sandy Boulevard Overpass — a concrete box‑girder bridge that carries one of the city’s busiest arterial roads over a freight rail corridor — has recently undergone a seismic retrofit that added post‑tensioned tie‑rods and dampers to its superstructure. The retrofit not only extended the bridge’s service life by an estimated 50 years but also introduced a dedicated bus‑only lane, improving transit reliability for commuters traveling between the northeastern neighborhoods and the central business district.

And yeah — that's actually more nuanced than it sounds.

These additions to Portland’s bridge inventory illustrate a broader trend: each new structure is conceived not merely as a means of crossing a waterway or railway, but as a platform for community engagement, ecological stewardship, and multimodal connectivity. By integrating pedestrian pathways, bike lanes, and public art into the engineering fabric, the city transforms functional infrastructure into shared public realms that invite residents and visitors alike to explore the city on foot or by bike.

In sum, Portland’s bridges are more than steel and concrete; they are living narratives that chronicle the city’s evolution from a modest riverside settlement to a forward‑thinking metropolis that values sustainability, accessibility, and aesthetic harmony. As the city continues to grow and innovate, its bridges will undoubtedly remain key arteries — both literal and symbolic — linking neighborhoods, cultures, and the natural environment that defines Portland’s unique character Less friction, more output..