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Tied Arch Type

Tied Arch Type

Tied Arch bridge with bascule section, central segments raised, spanning a body of water.
Visual Aesthetics
  • Dominant feature: Steel arch
  • Form/Profile: Distinct arch that fills a wide visual field
  • Uniqueness: Some sub options unique to Portland’s existing downtown bridges
  • Style/Character: Traditional
  • Material: Weathering steel
Urban Context (how the bridge fits within the urban landscape)
  • Height: 60 feet lower than the Yard (large building on east end of the bridge)
  • Focus: Arches capture the eye from the in-water pier into the eastside (whereas the cable stay towers have a single focal point)
Experience
  • From bridge: Portal-like experience (open or enclosed depending on sub option)
  • Views from I-5: The feeling of passing under an archway while approaching it from I-5
  • Views from river: Connects to east in-water pier, arch is visible within river channel

Tied Arch Options

Unbraced Vertical Arch

Key Attributes
  • Dominant feature: Parallel vertical arches, open at top
  • Uniqueness: Unique to Portland's existing downtown bridges
  • Experience on bridge: Open portal
  • View from I-5: The feeling of passing under an archway while approaching it from I-5
  • View from river: Distinct arch connecting to in-water pier within view of river channel
Unbraced Vertical Arch, traveling east on the Burnside Bridge.
Unbraced Vertical Arch bridge over river, city buildings in the background.
View from the pedestrian and bicycle section of the bridge, looking east.
Unbraced Vertical Arch bridge straddles the I-5 corridor.

Braced Basket-Handle Arch

Key Attributes
  • Dominant feature: Braced arches taper inward
  • Uniqueness: Unique to Portland's existing downtown bridges
  • Experience on bridge: Enclosed or latticed portal
  • View from I-5: The feeling of passing under an archway while approaching it from I-5
  • View from river: Distinct arch connecting to in-water pier within view of river channel
Braced Basket-Handle Arch, traveling east on the Burnside Bridge.
Braced Basket-Handle Arch bridge over river, city buildings in the background.
View from the pedestrian and bicycle section of the bridge, looking east.
Braced Basket-Handle Arch bridge straddles the I-5 corridor.

The Basket Handle Arch can come in two sizes, short or long. The key difference between the short and long options is scale. The long option is 150 ft longer and 20 ft taller. Use the green circle arrow to toggle back and forth between the different height options.

Comparison of bridge lengths: Shows the short option of the Braced Basket-Handle Arch. View is from the bridge, looking east.
Short
Comparison of bridge lengths: Shows the long option of the Braced Basket-Handle Arch. View is from the bridge, looking east.
Long
Comparison of pedestrian and bicycle sections: Shows the short option of the Braced Basket-Handle Arch. View is from the pedestrian and bicycle section of the bridge, looking east.
Short
Comparison of pedestrian and bicycle sections: Shows the long option of the Braced Basket-Handle Arch. View is from the pedestrian and bicycle section of the bridge, looking east.
Long
Comparison from I-5 view: Shows the short option of the Braced Basket-Handle Arch. View is from the I-5, looking north.
Short
Comparison from I-5 view: Shows the long option of the Braced Basket-Handle Arch. View is from the I-5, looking north.
Long

Braced Vertical Arch

Key Attributes
  • Dominant feature: Parallel vertical arches connected on the top by crisscrossed braces
  • Uniqueness: Similar to Fremont Bridge in Portland
  • Experience on bridge: Enclosed or feeling of going through a portal
  • View from I-5: The feeling of passing under an archway while approaching it from I-5
  • View from river: Distinct arch connecting to in-water pier within view of river channel
Braced Vertical Arch, traveling east on the Burnside Bridge.
Braced Vertical Arch bridge over river, city buildings in the background.
View from the pedestrian and bicycle section of the bridge, looking east.
Braced Vertical Arch bridge straddles the I-5 corridor.

The Braced Vertical Arch can come in two sizes, short or long. The key difference between the short and long options is scale. The long option is 150 ft longer and 20 ft taller. Use the green circle arrow to toggle back and forth between the different height options.

Comparison of bridge lengths: Shows the short option of the Braced Vertical Arch. View is from the bridge, looking east.
Short
Comparison of bridge lengths: Shows the long option of the Braced Vertical Arch. View is from the bridge, looking east.
Long
Comparison of pedestrian and bicycle sections: Shows the short option of the Braced Vertical Arch. View is from the pedestrian and bicycle section of the bridge, looking east.
Short
Comparison of pedestrian and bicycle sections: Shows the long option of the Braced Vertical Arch. View is from the pedestrian and bicycle section of the bridge, looking east.
Long
Comparison from I-5 view: Shows the short option of the Braced Vertical Arch. View is from the I-5, looking north.
Short
Comparison from I-5 view: Shows the long option of the Braced Braced Vertical Arch. View is from the I-5, looking north.
Long

Check out more comparison views between the Cable Stay and Tied Arch.

Comparison of bridge types
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