South sidewalk will reopen Saturday.
(Photo © J. Maus)

If you've been missing using the the Broadway Bridge (I sure have) to get in and out of Northwest Portland, you're going to be very happy with this news. According to Kay Dannen with streetcar project contractor Shiels Obletz Johnsen, the bridge is set to reopen to biking and walking traffic this Saturday, September 4th.

On Saturday, all traffic (biking, walking, and motor vehicle) will be routed onto the south side of the bridge (similar to when the bridge first closed). Dannen says they expect the north sidewalk to reopen on Friday, September 17th.
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People negotiate the Broadway
Bridge closure this morning.
-Slideshow below-
(Photos © J. Maus)

Today was the first major test of a two-month closure of the Broadway Bridge. The bridge is closed due to streetcar track construction until September 3rd, however it remains open to biking and walking traffic. This morning, I heard from streetcar crews on the scene that the south sidewalk will remain open to non-motorized traffic until July 17th. After that, the plan is for the entire bridge to be closed to all vehicles (that means bikes too) for the remainder of the summer.
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Streetcar construction means a full closure
of the Broadway Bridge later this month
-- even for bike traffic.
(Photo © J. Maus)

When we last chimed in about a two month closure to the Broadway Bridge slated to begin on July 6th, the plan from PBOT and Portland Streetcar Inc. was to maintain biking and walking access on the south sidewalk throughout the entire length of the construction project.

Now, that plan has changed.

PBOT spokesperson Dan Anderson has confirmed that the bridge will be completely closed to biking and walking traffic for a yet-to-be determined length of time. (more...)

Bike traffic going onto Broadway Bridge.
(Photo © J. Maus)

Please note the PBOT traffic advisory below regarding an upcoming closure of the Broadway Bridge. The bridge will be completely closed to motorized traffic for two months starting July 6th, but it will remain open to biking and walking traffic. The closure is to facilitate streetcar construction.

Here's a word from streetcar project spokesperson Julie Gustafson about how bike traffic will be impacted:

The south sidewalk will remain open to maintain bicycle and pedestrian connectivity. The only time it will be "closed" is when they do a bridge lift. These will be short duration closures similar to a normal bridge lift. There will be signing and defined paths for the bikes and peds to follow on both sides of the bridge. The Larrabee (eastern) side will have an additional ramp for bi-directional bike approach.

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STP riders on the Broadway
Bridge in 2007.
(Photo © J. Maus)

If you're one of the 10,000 people signed up to ride in the 31st annual Seattle-to-Portland Bicycle Classic in July, take note. For the first time since 1989, the route entering Portland from Highway 30 will be different this year.

The STP route usually winds through Northwest Portland and then crosses the Willamette River via NW Lovejoy and the Broadway Bridge. But this year, due to streetcar construction, organizers have decided to use the St. Johns Bridge instead.

The new route will take riders across the bridge in St. Johns, then onto N. Willamette Blvd and N. Rosa Parks, then south to Holladay Park in the Lloyd Center via N. Vancouver Ave. Here's a map detail of the route through Portland: (more...)