Earthquake Ready Burnside Bridge

Burnside Bridge Partners, a joint venture with Traylor Bros. and American Bridge, will replace the existing Burnside Bridge over the Willamette River with a connection bridge that will withstand a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake. This is one of the largest earthquake resilience projects in Oregon, providing the first seismically resilient crossing in Portland that is immediately usable after a major earthquake.

The new bridge will have 17-foot-wide bicycle and pedestrian paths on each side of the bridge, with crash-worthy barriers separating motorized vehicles from active transportation users. It will feature ADA-compliant sidewalks and nearby transit facility connections, creating safer, more comfortable access for people with disabilities. 

Early construction is anticipated to start in 2026, with the full bridge closure and reconstruction scheduled to begin in 2027.