Still the workhorse of Portland’s bridges today, carrying all MAX light rail lines as well as several bus lines. While its predecessor only spanned the Willamette for 24 years, the current Steel Bridge is over 110 years old and still going strong – it was built to last!
Service on the bridge opened in stages in 1912, mainly due to the city and the Portland Railway, Light & Power Company being unable to quickly negotiate a lease for use of the upper deck with the Oregon–Washington Railroad and Navigation Company.
| Constructed By: | Designed by Waddell & Harrington; built by the American Bridge Company of New York |
|---|---|
| Owned By: | Oregon-Washington Railroad & Navigation Company (1910–1936) |
| Union Pacific Railroad (1936–Present) | |
| Important Dates: | July 20, 1912 – First train sent over lower deck of bridge as an informal test |
| July 22, 1912 – Regular main line steam train service commences over lower deck | |
| August 10, 1912 – Upper deck opened to vehicle and pedestrian traffic | |
| September 8, 1912 – Streetcar service commences over upper deck | |
| July 31, 1948 – Last day of streetcar service over bridge | |
| Preceded By: | ‣ |
| Succeeded By: | Still extant; upper deck used by TriMet MAX light rail and buses |