Skip Navigation

Envisioning A New Burnside Bridge

Arrows indicating to scroll down.

Overview

For nearly 100 years, our community has relied on this long-standing connection. While the Burnside Bridge and other downtown Portland bridges are historic landmarks in our community, right now, none of downtown Portland’s Willamette River vehicular bridges will be immediately usable after a major earthquake. Multnomah County is leading an effort to replace the current Burnside Bridge with one that can withstand a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake. It’s one of the largest earthquake resilience projects in Oregon.

As the project is now in the Design Phase, the community’s voice will play an important role in the future look of the new bridge.

What will the future Burnside Bridge look like?

The County is asking for community input on design concepts for the east span of the new Burnside Bridge. This online open house is designed to give an overview of the project and the range of the design concepts being considered. You’ll have an opportunity to share feedback in the survey linked on this page.

The general form of the bridge was determined during the project’s Environmental Review Phase and included a ‘girder’ design (similar to the existing Burnside Bridge) on the west approach, a bascule design (similar to the existing Burnside Bridge) for the movable span over the river channel and a long span design for the east approach. While the west approach and movable spans are established, the County is considering two general bridge types for the east approach. This online open house will give you an overview of the two bridge types and share multiple variations for you to consider. The County will ask for your input on aspects related to visual aesthetics, urban context and user experience.

All design concepts presented have similar cost, risk and constructability tradeoffs.

Additional Information: Pop over to this page to learn more about the project and how we got here!

Bridge Design Concepts

The two east span bridge types under consideration are the cable stay (similar to the Tilikum Crossing) and the tied arch (similar to the Wapato Bridge that connects to Sauvie Island). These two bridge types vary in height, character, materials, views and other characteristics. Below are some key attributes to consider when reviewing the options. Click on each bridge type to learn more about the different sub options.

Cable Stay Type

Learn more and see 3D animations

Tied Arch Type

Learn more and see 3D animations

Comparison of Bridge Height

Below you'll see height, materials and sightline comparisons between the two bridge types.

Two images of the bridge types, one above the other, with a red dotted line to the Portland skyline. The Cable Stay Bridge tower height in the upper image is 290 feet above ground, compared to the building height of 250 feet. The Tied Arch Bridge tower heigh is 130 – 150 feet, compared to building height of 250 feet.

Comparison of Bridge Materials

Two images of the bridge types next to each other, The image on the left shows the inverted-Y Cable Stay tower and shows a block of concrete below it that reads 'concrete bridge tower'. The right photo is of the basket handle arch and below it is a picture of red steel that reads 'weathering steel arch'.

Comparison of Sightlines

Use the green circle arrow to toggle back and forth between the different sightlines for each bridge type.

Sightline comparison: Shows the Cable Stay tower directing the eye eastward.
Cable stay draws eyes east
Sightline comparison: Shows the tied arch directing the eye westward.
Arch draws eyes west
Bridge reach comparison: Shows the cables from the Cable Stay Bridge retreating from the river.
Cables retreat from river
Bridge reach comparison: Shows the arch extending into the river.
Arch reaches into river
Bridge placement comparison (south view): Shows the Cable Stay Bridge east of the I-5 corridor.
Cable stay tower east of I-5 corridor​​
Bridge placement comparison (south view): Shows the arch straddling the I-5 corridor.
Arch straddles I-5
Bridge placement comparison (north view): Shows the Cable Stay Bridge east of the I-5 corridor.
Cable stay tower east of I-5 corridor​​
Bridge placement comparison (north view): Shows the arch straddling the I-5 corridor.
Arch straddles I-5​

Comparison Views of Bridge Types

Below you'll see the six bridge type options that are being considered. There are three cable stay and three tied arch options.

Aerial view looking east
Collage of six images of the different bridge sub options – 3 cable stay and 3 tied arch.
Waterfront park looking northeast
Collage of six images of the different bridge sub options – 3 cable stay and 3 tied arch.
I-5 looking north
Collage of six images of the different bridge sub options – 3 cable stay and 3 tied arch.
I-5 looking south
Collage of six images of the different bridge sub options – 3 cable stay and 3 tied arch.
On the bridge traveling east
Collage of six images of the different bridge sub options – 3 cable stay and 3 tied arch.
Pedestrian view looking east
Collage of six images of the different bridge sub options – 3 cable stay and 3 tied arch.
Pedestrian view looking west
Collage of six images of the different bridge sub options – 3 cable stay and 3 tied arch.
On Burnside St. looking west
Collage of six images of the different bridge sub options – 3 cable stay and 3 tied arch.
Aerial view of Bridge
Collage of six images of the different bridge sub options – 3 cable stay and 3 tied arch.
Check out cable stay 3D animations Check out tied arch 3D animations
Scroll to top of page.