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The Morrison Bridge is a bascule bridge that spans the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon. Completed in 1958, it is the third bridge at approximately the same site to carry that name. It is one of the most heavily used bridges in Portland. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in November 2012.
The first Morrison Bridge carried starting in March 1888, about a year after the bridge opened. Electric Tram, introduced in Portland in November 1889, replaced horsecar service on the bridge in stages starting in 1890.. Streetcars also crossed the second (1905) Morrison bridge, but not the third (1958), as the last lines of Portland's past streetcar system had been abandoned by the time it opened.
In 1987, the Morrison Bridge became the first bridge illuminated by the Willamette Light Brigade. In 2007, the original 16 colored floodlamps illuminating the concrete piers were replaced by energy-efficient and computer-controlled LEDs. Different colors may be selected for each of eight zones of the piers. Static and animated patterns may be requested for a fee which ranges from $100 per night to $1200 per month (as of 2009).
Access for bicycles and pedestrians was improved in a $1.9 million project which began construction in March 2009 and added a barrier-separated path on the south side. Previously, there were only narrow sidewalks. In 2011–12, the steel grating on the bascule deck was replaced with fiber-reinforced polymer panels to provide better traction for vehicles. The work was completed in March 2012, but problems with the new deck panels began to be reported in fall 2013. Multnomah County anticipates a major seismic upgrade around 2020. The bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in November 2012.
In 2005, the bridge opened for river traffic an average of 33 times a month.
History of present bridge
The present bridge was built by Multnomah County. It was completed on May 24, 1958, at a cost of $12.9 million. In 1961, Interstate 5 and Interstate 84 ramps were added.
Description and statistics
The bridge is the largest mechanical device in Oregon. gears drive 940-ton counterweights located inside each of the piers. The clearance is sufficient for most river traffic, requiring bridge openings only about 30 times a month. The bridge currently carries 50,000 vehicles daily in six lanes. The canted windows of the control tower give the distinctive look of air traffic control towers. The current bridge does not connect to Morrison Street at its west end because the second bridge was left in operation while the latest version was built, necessitating that the replacement bridge be on a different alignment.
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External links
Categories: Bascule Bridges In The United States, Bridges Completed In 1887, Bridges Completed In 1905, Bridges Completed In 1958, Bridges In Portland, Oregon, Bridges Over The Willamette River, Swing Bridges In Oregon, Historic American Engineering Record In Oregon, National Register Of Historic Places In Portland, Oregon, 1887 Establishments In Oregon, Buckman, Portland, Oregon, Drawbridges On The National Register Of Historic Places, Southwest Portland, Oregon, Former Toll Bridges In Oregon, Tom Mccall Waterfront Park, Metal Bridges In The United States
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