Thanks to new bridge, Esplanade near OMSI to re-open Saturday

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:

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Founder of BikePortland (in 2005). Father of three. North Portlander. Basketball lover. Car owner and driver. If you have questions or feedback about this site or my work, feel free to contact me at @jonathan_maus on Twitter, via email at maus.jonathan@gmail.com, or phone/text at 503-706-8804. Also, if you read and appreciate this site, please become a supporter.

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Nick V
Nick V
12 years ago

Any truth to the rumor that this new bridge will meet current seismic (earthquake) standards?

OnTheRoad
OnTheRoad
12 years ago
Reply to  Nick V

Yes. 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.

BURR
BURR
12 years ago
Reply to  OnTheRoad

except that when the Marquam Bridge fails spectacularly, it will take out the Caruthers Bridge when it falls…

GLV
GLV
12 years ago
Reply to  BURR

If the Marquam fell like a domino it would still be 1,000 feet away from the new bridge.

BURR
BURR
12 years ago
Reply to  GLV

and create a giant wave

GLV
GLV
12 years ago
Reply to  GLV

Right. 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.

BURR
BURR
12 years ago
Reply to  GLV

seismic design is not based on the structure retaining it’s integrity for future use, just on the structure not failing catastrophically during an earthquake.

Paul Johnson
Paul Johnson
12 years ago
Reply to  GLV

Never mind that the Marquam Bridge is so long it crosses the Hawthorne Bridge…

RyNO Dan
RyNO Dan
12 years ago

Wow !

Chris
12 years ago

That’s cool that they are reusing that conveyor belt structure for the temporary bridge structure.

Spiffy
Spiffy
12 years ago

very nice!

Jim Labbe
Jim Labbe
12 years ago

Excellent. Kudos for Trimet.

michael downes
michael downes
12 years ago

I thoroughly approve of the recycling of the conveyor belt. That’s using yer noodle!

peejay
peejay
12 years ago

I 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.

peejay
peejay
12 years ago

Also, let’s hope nobody turns the conveyer on when it’s full of bikes!

Maks
Maks
12 years ago
Reply to  peejay

*laughing, facepalm* *like* kudos +1

GlowBoy
GlowBoy
12 years ago

Great 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.

fiets503
fiets503
12 years ago

it’s open NOW!!!

GlowBoy
GlowBoy
12 years ago

Yep, 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.