"The [1926] replacement was part of a $4.5 million bond that also included the construction of the Ross Island and Sellwood bridges. The public would later learn that the contract was given for $500,000 more than the lowest bid. Three Multnomah County commissioners were recalled as a result of the scandal, and a new engineering company assumed control of the project."

Oregon State Archives, May 28, 2015

Portland’s Burnside Bridge opened to traffic for the first time 89 years ago today on May 28, 1926. The bridge opening was such a big deal that the mayors of “San Francisco, Spokane, Seattle, Tacoma and the city manager of Sacramento all sent messages of congratulations on the opening of the bridge, conveyed by carrier pigeons.”(1) In recognition of this event, our historic photo of the day features a great aerial view of the Burnside Bridge with the draw spans raised to allow a large barge to pass through. These photos are undated but appear to be circa the 1960s-1970s. Maybe someone on here will be able to provide us with a more accurate date based on the features in these photos. I noticed that there appears to be a building under construction on the west side of the river which might help to determine a date for theses photos.

The three-span Burnside is a historically significant structure. It is the only Willamette River Bridge in Portland designed with the help of an architect, a result of the early 20th century City Beautiful Movement that called for adding architectural ornamentation to engineering designs. The bridge's distinctive Italian Renaissance towers reflect the trend. Burnside is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places and protected by preservation laws. Originally designed by the firm of Hedrick and Kremers, Burnside was completed by Gustav Lindenthal. Burnside's opening mechanism, or bascule, was designed by Joseph Strauss, whose Golden Gate suspension bridge would open 11 years after Burnside.

The bridge originally had six lanes of traffic, but in 1995 the City of Portland requested that bike lanes be added to the bridge, so one lane of traffic was converted into two bike lanes. There are sidewalks on both sides of the bridge. Vertical clearance of the closed bascule span is adequate for the majority of river traffic, with openings necessary only about 40 times per month. Only minor modifications have been made to the bridge since its construction. Electric street car rails were removed in the late 1940’s, lighting and traffic control devices were updated in the late 1950’s, automobile traffic gates were installed in 1971 and the bascule pier fenders were replaced in 1983. Several deck resurfacing projects and expansion joint repairs have also taken place.”(2)

How many of you have driven over the Burnside Bridge? I have been across it a number of times and it seems to have held up very well over the years. Did any of you realize that the Burnside Bridge’s opening mechanism was designed by the Chief engineer of the Golden Gate Bridge? That is a pretty cool historical in my opinion. We hope you all enjoy these photos and have a wonderful evening! =) Austin

(1) http://portland.daveknows.org/2011/05/28/may-28-1926-burnside-bridge-opens/

(2)https://multco.us/bridges/burnside-bridge

BridgeHunter.com: Burnside Bridge

Overview

Strauss bascule lift bridge over Willamette River on Burnside Bridge

Location

Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon

Status

Open to traffic

Future prospects

At risk for demolition and replacement!

History

Built 1926

Builders

- Booth & Pomeroy, Inc. of Portland, Oregon (Superstructure Contractor)

- Gustav Lindenthal of Brno, Cisleithania, Austro-Hungarian Empire (Now known as Brno, South Moravia, Czech Republic) (Lead Engineer)

- Hedrick & Kremers (Designer)

- Joseph Strauss (Bascule Engineer) [also known as Strauss Bascule Bridge Co.]

- Pacific Bridge Co. of Portland, Oregon (Substructure Contractor)

Design

Double leaf Strauss style bascule lift

Dimensions

Length of largest span: 266.1 ft.

Total length: 856.0 ft.

Deck width: 67.9 ft.

Vertical clearance above deck: 17.3 ft.

Recognition

Posted to the National Register of Historic Places on November 14, 2012

Image Currently Unavailable

Video (By Others...)

Links

Dave Knows Portland: May 28, 1926: Burnside Bridge Opens

http://portland.daveknows.org/2011/05/28/may-28-1926-burnside-bridge-opens

CLICK HERE to continue exploring the highway