Thanks to new bridge, Esplanade near OMSI to re-open Saturday
Posted by Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor) on June 23rd, 2011 at 5:09 pm
The Oregonian reports that TriMet is all set to re-open the Eastbank Esplanade this Saturday. The transit agency closed a portion of the Esplanade just south of the Hawthorne Bridge near OMSI earlier this month in order to do preliminary construction on the forthcoming Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail bridge.
As The Oregonian's Joseph Rose reported today, TriMet will continue to work on the project, but they've built a new temporary biking and walking bridge over their construction work. A tunnel under the bridge will allow large trucks and equipment to access the river without interacting with Esplanade traffic.
Brilliant!
Watch the video below for more info:
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Any truth to the rumor that this new bridge will meet current seismic (earthquake) standards?
RecommendedYes. The Caruthers Bridge (or whatever they are calling it) will be the only bridge on the Willamette constructed (rather than retrofitted) to current seismic standards.
People on bicycles, pedestrians and transit patrons will be able to get home to the east side after the cascadia subduction zone earthquake in our future. It may be the only bridge extant.
Recommendedexcept that when the Marquam Bridge fails spectacularly, it will take out the Caruthers Bridge when it falls...
RecommendedIf the Marquam fell like a domino it would still be 1,000 feet away from the new bridge.
Recommendedand create a giant wave
RecommendedRight. We're building a bridge that can withstand a 9.0 earthquake, but will get knocked down by a single wave in a medium sized river.
Recommendedseismic design is not based on the structure retaining it's integrity for future use, just on the structure not failing catastrophically during an earthquake.
RecommendedNever mind that the Marquam Bridge is so long it crosses the Hawthorne Bridge...
RecommendedWow !
RecommendedThat's cool that they are reusing that conveyor belt structure for the temporary bridge structure.
Recommendedvery nice!
RecommendedExcellent. Kudos for Trimet.
RecommendedI thoroughly approve of the recycling of the conveyor belt. That's using yer noodle!
RecommendedI think it's a cool idea, but I'm a little surprised there isn't some safety regulation that prevented this. Good for the inspector to think outside the box for once.
RecommendedAlso, let's hope nobody turns the conveyer on when it's full of bikes!
Recommended*laughing, facepalm* *like* kudos +1
RecommendedGreat job recycling the old conveyor "bridge". Overall this is probably more cost-effective (not to mention reducing the inconvenience and risk) versus hiring flaggers during construction hours.
Aww, I was excited about the potential to be the "last bridge standing" after The Big One until ... "when the Marquam Bridge fails spectacularly, it will take out the Caruthers Bridge when it falls..."( - BURR). Dang.
Guess I'd better keep a small backpackable inflatable craft and paddle at my (westside) desk after all, so I can get home if it hits during working/commuting hours.
Recommendedit's open NOW!!!
Recommendedhttp://trimet.org/news/releases/jun24-esplanade-reopens.htm
RecommendedYep, I rode it on the way home Friday night (and again this morning). Very nice, and offers a great view of the ongoing construction project.
Also, re: "when the Marquam Bridge fails spectacularly, it will take out the Caruthers Bridge when it falls..."
Not true. The alignment of the Caruthers Bridge will be roughly parallel to the Marquam, and a considerable distance from it. It may indeed be the only bridge left usable by the M9 quake we're due for.
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