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Construction of the Gibbs Street Pedestrian Bridge is a longstanding priority for community members in
the South Portland Neighborhood (formerly the Corbett/Terwilliger/Lair Hill neighborhood). 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.
The Extradosed Design
was selected by Portland City Council on December 3, 2008 as the preferred concept. An Extradosed bridge design is a modified version of a
box girder bridge that is partially supported by overhead cables. Detailed design and engineering
work will be completed in the next few months, as well as obtaining environmental permits to prepare for construction.
Construction is expected to begin in December 2010. Photo simulations are available in the project library.
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.
Since 2008
With input from the Citizen’s Advisory Committee, the City has selected a new bridge type for the
crossing. The new bridge type is a Steel Box Girder. In addition, the city is making other changes to
the overall design including a simplified elevator and stairway design and one elevator instead of two.
The consultant is utilizing an independent cost estimating firm with experience in the local
construction industry to assist with the estimating, construction methods and other potential cost
savings to be able to bring the project design within budget.
The design team is actively working on the new design. Update meetings are being scheduled with the
Design Commission, South Portland Neighborhood Association; the City will also host an Open House in
May 2010. The project will be advertised for construction in September 2010 with a bid opening on
October 7, 2010. Construction will start in December 2010 and conclude in December 2011.
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