PDX BRIDGES NEW & OLD

The new pedestrian bridge brings new views of Portland.

The view of the freeway looking south.

To find it from I-5 north, take the Ross Island Bridge exit and snake around.

Park your car before you make the right turn to the Ross Island ramp and you can’t miss it.

From the pedestrian bridge you’ll see the trains in action near South Portland and the Zidell yards along the Willamette River.

It’s an odd juxtaposition of modern glass towers and old school heavy industry.

On the right is The Gantry, a heavy lifting tool.

Once you cross the pedestrian bridge and walk down the staircase, or take the stand alone elevator, you’ll notice what seems a zoning problem.

Heavy industry and OHSU are not a good match, but it is where the Pod takes off and lands from Pill Hill.

The view north shows a different angle on downtown.

PDX bridges and overpasses make getting around town easier.

What’s better than taking an afternoon stroll in one of America’s best treasures?

Here is Tillicum Crossing with a train on board.

It’s not open to walk yet, but soon.

Notice the wide open space? There’s lots of it around here making Portland look on the verge of a building boom.

The Pod tower and elevator tower.

If it looks deserted it is. Sundays do that.

Just us tourists.

PDX bridges new and old open up views from new angles.

The Moda Center framed by the sub-structure of the Burnside Bridge.

Convention Center towers framed by the Burnside Bridge.

There ought to be a frame shop, the Burnside Frame Shoppe?

While walking around Saturday Market we had a pint of Burnside Brewery IPA to make the day.

Before new bridges I-5 used to run through downtown Portland’s Waterfront Park.

The Harbor Freeway instead of an expanse of urban green?

And a tricky fountain? Nope.

For everything new and shiny in Portland the lower west side has enough grit to share.

And yet the Steel Bridge rises over it all.

You can find it all in Portland, whether you want it or not.

That’s what makes a city great. You get both ends of the stick.