Construction of the Gibbs Street Pedestrian Bridge is a longstanding priority for community members in the Corbett, Terwilliger and Lair Hill neighborhoods. This pedestrian and bicycle bridge will provide safe and convenient access between these neighborhoods and the Willamette River and the emerging South Waterfront District. The City of Portland has received funding from the Federal Highway Administration to design and construct this important bike and pedestrian connection.

The first concepts for the pedestrian bridge were identified by participants in the international competition to design the Portland Aerial Tram. In 2006, the City hired a consulting firm to refine the bridge design. This process gathered more input from the public on aesthetics and concluded with the identification of a bridge concept that was acceptable to the community and the City, but that probably could not be constructed within the $7 million construction budget. View the background materials, including previous public comments and conceptual designs.

In 2008, the City hired a consulting team headed by CH2M HILL to build upon the previous work and collaborate with the community to design a preferred bridge concept that meets the project’s requirements and can be constructed within budget. After a concept is selected, the team will complete detailed design and engineering work, and obtain environmental permits to prepare for construction. Construction is expected to begin in fall 2009.

Pedestrian Crossing Improvements will be included as part of the Gibbs Street Pedestrian Bridge project. These are proposed at Naito Parkway, SW Barbur Boulevard, SW Corbett, and SW Kelly. More information on these concepts is found in the background materials section of the project library.