Bybee Bridge

{{Infobox bridge

| bridge_name = Bybee Bridge

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| image = Bybee Bridge, Portland, OR, 2012.JPG

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| caption = Bybee Bridge in 2012

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| crosses = {{jct|state=OR|OR|99E|name1=McLoughlin Boulevard}}

| locale = Portland, Oregon, U.S.

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| maint = Oregon Department of Transportation

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The Bybee Bridge is a bridge over McLoughlin Boulevard (Oregon Route 99E) in southeast Portland, Oregon connecting the Eastmoreland and Sellwood neighborhoods.{{cite news|url=http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=29334|title=New Bybee bridge shows cracks|date=April 12, 2005|accessdate=May 19, 2012|first=Jacob Quinn|last=Sanders|work=Portland Tribune|publisher=Pamplin Media Group|location=Portland, Oregon|pages=1–2}}{{dead link|date=May 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} The bridge is named after James Francis Bybee.

History

File:Bybee Bridge, Portland, Oregon (2015) - 05.JPG construction on and below the bridge, January 2015]]

The original Bybee Bridge consisted of three different structures built between 1911 and 1943.{{cite news|url=http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=24417|title=A sleeker, more modern Bybee Bridge|first=Don|last=Hamilton|date=May 18, 2004|accessdate=May 20, 2012|work=Portland Tribune|location=Portland, Oregon|publisher=Pamplin Media Group}}{{dead link|date=May 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}{{cite journal|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2004/01/19/daily16.html|title=Bybee Bridge to close|journal=Portland Business Journal|location=Portland, Oregon|date=January 20, 2012|accessdate=May 20, 2012|publisher=Advance Publications}}

In the early 2000s, structural analysis determined the bridge did not provide adequate clearance for trucks driving below, concrete girders were damaged from collisions, and suitable bike lines and sidewalks were not available.

In 2004 the bridge was partially rebuilt by Capital Concrete Construction Inc., closing in February and re-opening in November ahead of schedule. 80 percent of the $3–4 million renovation project came from federal funds; 10 percent each was paid by the city of Portland and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

By April 2005 cracks had already started to appear in the concrete. According to the supervising bridge engineer, the cracks "did not pose any threat to the integrity of the bridge."

File:TriMet Gillig bus passing SE Bybee Blvd MAX station in 2019.jpg, on the bridge, with a bus passing]]

During construction of the Southeast Bybee Boulevard station on the MAX Orange Line, the bridge was widened and elevators and bus pullouts were installed. The station is an island platform located underneath the overpass, with a cupola on the bridge serving as an entrance.{{cite web|title=SE Bybee Boulevard station area|url=http://trimet.org/pdfs/pm/stations/Station-Area-Fact-Sheets/PMLR_Bybee_Fact_Sheet_Oct2014|website=Portland–Milwaukie Light Rail Project|publisher=TriMet|accessdate=29 December 2014}}

Bioswale

According to The Conservation Registry the Bybee Bridge Bioswale, located at the northwest side of the bridge to treat stormwater,{{Cite web|url=http://www.conservationregistry.org/assets/0000/6119/Bybee_Bioswale_Map.pdf|title=Bybee Bioswale|accessdate=June 22, 2012|publisher=The Conservation Registry}} was also completed in November 2004.{{cite web|url=http://www.conservationregistry.org/projects/15095|title=Bybee Bridge Bioswale|accessdate=June 22, 2012|date=January 6, 2012|publisher=The Conservation Registry}} The bioswale contains mostly mowed grass which drains water from the bridge to Crystral Springs. A September 2011 survey of the project showed low invasive species activity but noted the presence of blackberry, morning glory and other weeds. Native plants such as alder, ash, cattail, cottonwood, Douglas-fir, rushes and sedges were also present.{{cite web|url=http://www.conservationregistry.org/assets/0000/5805/2011_Bybee_Bridge_Bioswale_Survey_Results.pdf|accessdate=June 22, 2012|title=2011 Survey Results|publisher=The Conservation Registry|year=2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.conservationregistry.org/assets/0000/5804/Bybee_Bridge_Bioswale_Photos.pdf |title=Bybee Bridge Bioswale Photos |date=September 29, 2011 |publisher=The Conservation Registry |accessdate=June 22, 2012 }}{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}