As full waterfront loop reopens, here’s an endless GIF of riding Portland’s gem

Keep on trucking.
(GIF by Will Vanlue)

After a year of seismic upgrade work to the firehouse just north of the Hawthorne Bridge’s east landing, Portland’s Eastbank Esplanade is fully open once again.

Though the detour was less than a city block, it’s been a long construction period for the ring that’s sometimes referred to, along with Waterfront Park, as Portland’s “inner loop.” Just south of the Hawthorne, the Esplanade was also closed near OMSI for much of the last year as part of TriMet’s work on the new Tilikum Crossing bridge.

The firehouse work, whose detours were managed by Portland Fire and Rescue, wrapped up about a week ago.

At some point before that happened, local bike lover (and former BikePortland contributor) Will Vanlue made an animated GIF of a full midday loop he took around the waterfront. He released it yesterday and has given us permission to share. (Hat tip to Reddit Portland.)

It’s a great reminder of what a treasure we have at the heart of our city — a little route that’s worthy of being designated as the state’s first “scenic bikeway” in an urban area.

You might also enjoy this post from last year: Padlock placemaking on the Esplanade.