Sellwood Bridge
- Mile: 16.5
- Opened: December 15, 1925
- Type: 4-span continuous deck Warren truss
- Engineers/Designers: Gustav Lindenthal (NY)
- Owner: Multnomah County
- Total Length: 1,091’
- Main Span Length: 300’
The Sellwood Bridge
NOW: The Sellwood Bridge is the southernmost of Portland’s bridges and the only major crossing in a heavily populated 10-mile stretch along the Willamette River. This 24′ two-lane roadway with a sidewalk on the downstream side replaced the Sellwood Ferry in 1925. Its design is unique because it has four steel deck spans on one continuous truss stretched across its five piers. It was designed by Gustav Lindenthal and constructed for $541,637. It is named for the town of Sellwood (settled first by Rev. James Sellwood) which was annexed to Portland in 1893.
For some time now, the size and condition of the Sellwood Bridge has been considered insufficient for people traveling to west Portland from southern east Portland and Milwaukie. While Multnomah County has continued to maintain it as best possible, the years have seen rounds of discussions and studies to review the possibilities of refurbishing it as a non-vehicular bridge, building a new bridge on site or a new one somewhere further up or downstream.
The Future of the Sellwood Bridge
The current study is on track to produce a replacement bridge. Several years of citizen input and professional study have determined the type of bridge which will be constructed (steel deck arch) and where it will be sited. For more information about what has been decided and what is yet to be decided about the replacement Sellwood bridge please visit “About the Project” on the website, http://www.sellwoodbridge.org/.
Plans for structural lighting will celebrate the structure of the new Sellwood Bridge by using low-power LED lighting to subtly illuminate the outline of the arches and piers. This horizontal lighting design will be less costly and easier to maintain than other options that were studied.
“Architectural lighting of the Sellwood Bridge structure should be integral to its design. The cinnamon-colored steel will not reflect much light; it is not bright enough to disturb fish or navigation. However, the water will reflect the arched form of the bridge, and will subtly announce the presence of Sellwood from the west side of the river after dark.” – Paddy Tillett, AIA
