Multnomah County will choose between two designs for new Burnside Bridge

(JULY 10, 2024) The Burnside Bridge is one of the oldest and busiest bridges in Portland. But it also one of the bridges at greatest risk of collapse during an earthquake. So Multnomah County is planning to replace the bridge. It is asking people to vote on the bridge design.

Multnomah County hopes to begin building the bridge within three years. The county thinks it will cost about $895 million to build a bridge that will survive an earthquake. The county thinks it will take five years to complete. Construction may begin as early as 2027.

The county is choosing between two designs:

• a "cable stay" bridge that looks like the Tilikum Crossing bridge

• a "tied arch" bridge that looks like the Fremont Bridge

People can vote for which one they like best. Then a committee will make the final recommendation. County leaders will make the final choice.

According to The Oregonian newspaper, "The bridge would have two lanes for auto traffic in each direction and an eastbound lane only for buses. Plans call for a 17-foot-wide bike and pedestrian path on each side of the bridge, the widest bike and pedestrian path of any downtown Portland span."

The project website has many different views of each type of bridge, and you can also share your opinion by completing the online survey.