Hawthorne Bridge#Bicycle counter

{{Short description|Bridge over the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon}}

{{Infobox Bridge

| name = Hawthorne Bridge

| image = Hawthorne Bridge (Portland, Oregon) from southwest, 2012.jpg

| carries = Vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists

| crosses = Willamette River

| locale = Portland, Oregon

| maint = Multnomah County

| design = Parker truss with a vertical-lift span

| material = Steel

| mainspan = {{cvt|244|ft|m}}

| number_spans = 6 (excluding concrete girder approach spans)

| piers_in_water = 6

| length = {{cvt|1382|ft|m}}

| width = {{cvt|73|ft|m}}

| below = {{cvt|49|ft|m}} closed
{{cvt|159|ft|m}} open

| designer = Waddell & Harrington

| open = {{Start date|1910|12|19}}

| replaces = Madison Street Bridge No. 2

| traffic = 30,000

{{Infobox NRHP

|embed = yes

|name = Hawthorne Bridge

|nrhp_type =

|designated_other1_name = Portland Historic Landmark{{citation |author=Portland Historic Landmarks Commission |title=Historic Landmarks -- Portland, Oregon |format=XLS |date=July 2014 |url=http://www.portlandonline.com/planning/index.cfm?c = 44013&a = 146276 |access-date=August 20, 2014 }}{{Dead link|date=May 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}.

|designated_other1_color = lightgreen

|location = Portland, Oregon; Willamette River at river mile 13.1

|coordinates = {{Wikidatacoord|Q5685577|region:US-OR_type:landmark|display = inline,title}}

|locmapin =

|map_caption = Location of the Hawthorne Bridge in Portland

|map_alt = Locator map

|area =

|built = 1910

|architect = Waddell & Harrington

|architecture =

|added = November 14, 2012

|mpsub = Willamette River Highway Bridges of Portland, Oregon

|refnum = 12000932

}}

The Hawthorne Bridge is a truss bridge with a vertical lift that spans the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon, joining Hawthorne Boulevard and Madison Street. It is the oldest vertical-lift bridge in operation in the United States{{cite book |last=Wood Wortman |first=Sharon |author2=Wortman, Ed |title=The Portland Bridge Book |edition=3rd |publisher=Urban Adventure Press |year=2006 |pages=61–68 |isbn=0-9787365-1-6}} and the oldest highway bridge in Portland. It is also the busiest bicycle bridge in Oregon, with over 8,000 cyclists{{cite web |url=http://www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/article/386265 |publisher=Portland Bureau of Transportation |title=2011 Bicycle Counts Report |format=PDF |page=4 |access-date=April 24, 2013 |archive-date=April 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210426063738/https://www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/article/386265 |url-status=live }} and 800 TriMet buses (carrying about 17,400 riders) daily. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in November 2012.{{cite web |url=http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/listings/20121123.htm |title=Weekly list of actions taken on properties: 11/13/12 through 11/16/12 |date=November 23, 2012 |publisher=National Park Service |access-date=April 24, 2013 |archive-date=March 12, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312200913/http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/listings/20121123.htm |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Tims |first=Dana |title=Four Multnomah County bridges listed on National Register of Historic Places |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=November 20, 2012 |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2012/11/four_multnomah_county_bridges.html |access-date=December 9, 2014 |archive-date=September 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180908092751/https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2012/11/four_multnomah_county_bridges.html |url-status=live }}

Statistics

The bridge consists of five fixed spans and one {{convert|244|ft|m|adj=mid|-long}} vertical-lift span. It is {{convert|1382|ft|m}} in total length. The bridge was originally {{convert|63|ft|m}} wide,{{cite book |last=Wood |first=Sharon |title=The Portland Bridge Book |edition=1st |publisher=Oregon Historical Society Press |year=1989 |pages=37–42 |isbn=0-87595-211-9}} including two five-foot sidewalks, but the sidewalks were widened to 10 feet in 1998, increasing the structure's overall width to {{convert|73|ft|m}}. The {{convert|880000|lb|kg|adj=on}} counterweights are suspended from the two {{convert|165|ft|m|adj=mid|-tall}} towers. It is operated by a pair of 150-horsepower motors.{{Cite web |date=September 21, 2010 |title=Vertical Lift Bridge |url=https://multco.us/bridges/vertical-lift-bridge |access-date=August 4, 2020 |website=Multnomah County |language=en |archive-date=October 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023133639/https://multco.us/bridges/vertical-lift-bridge |url-status=live }} On average, the lift span is raised for river traffic 120 times per month.{{rp|62}} While the river is at low level, the bridge is {{convert|49|ft|m}} above the water, causing it to be raised an average of 200 times per month. As of 2001, the average daily traffic was 30,500 vehicles. The bridge was designed by Waddell & Harrington, which also designed the Steel and Interstate bridges.{{Cite web |date=May 12, 2020 |title=Hawthorne Vertical Lift Bridge |url=https://www.hardestyhanover.com/projects/hawthorne-vertical-lift-bridge/ |access-date=May 30, 2021 |website=Hardesty & Hanover |language=en-US |archive-date=June 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602215404/https://www.hardestyhanover.com/projects/hawthorne-vertical-lift-bridge/ |url-status=live }} John Alexander Low Waddell invented the modern-day vertical-lift bridge.

History

The current bridge was built to replace the second Madison Street Bridge, a wooden bridge built in 1900. It cost $511,000 to build{{cite book |first=Dwight A. |last=Smith |author2=Norman, James B. |author2-link=James B. Norman |author3=Dykman, Pieter T. |title=Historic Highway Bridges of Oregon |publisher=Oregon Historical Society Press |year=1989 |pages=115 |isbn=0-87595-205-4}} and was opened on December 19, 1910.{{cite news |title=Bridge Declared Open for Traffic |newspaper=The Morning Oregonian |date=December 20, 1910 |page=16 |url=http://oregonnews.uoregon.edu/lccn/sn83025138/1910-12-20/ed-1/seq-16/ |access-date=July 31, 2017 |archive-date=August 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801072611/http://oregonnews.uoregon.edu/lccn/sn83025138/1910-12-20/ed-1/seq-16/ |url-status=live }} Hawthorne Boulevard (and thus the bridge) was named after Dr. J.C. Hawthorne, the cofounder of Oregon's first mental hospital and early proponent for the first Morrison Bridge.

The streetcar tracks across the bridge were originally in the outer lanes,{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=laTfY36RfY0C&q=%22Hawthorne%20Bridge%22%20streetcar&pg=PA32 |first=Ray |last=Bottenberg |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |date=2007 |page=12 |access-date=August 21, 2016 |title=Bridges of Portland |isbn=978-0-7385-4876-0 |archive-date=May 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240529100319/https://books.google.com/books?id=laTfY36RfY0C&q=%22Hawthorne%20Bridge%22%20streetcar&pg=PA32#v=snippet&q=%22Hawthorne%20Bridge%22%20streetcar&f=false |url-status=live }} but were relocated to the center lanes in 1931."Bridge Open Tomorrow; Repairs of Hawthorne Span Now About Completed". The Oregonian, May 19, 1931, p. 6. The deck was changed from wood to steel grating in 1945.

File:Hawthorne Br. west end, 1993.jpg

In 1985, the lift span sheaves, the grooved wheels that guide the counterweight cables, were replaced. The bridge went through a $21 million renovation from 1998 to 1999, which included replacing the steel grated deck and repainting.{{cite web |publisher=David Evans and Associates, Inc. |title=Hawthorne Bridge Rehabilitation |url=http://www.deainc.com/project.aspx?category=4&service=8&project=35 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081021001439/http://www.deainc.com/project.aspx?category=4&service=8&project=35 |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 21, 2008 |access-date=February 9, 2009}} The original lead-based paint was completely removed and replaced with 3 layers of new paint that is estimated to last 30 years.{{cite web |title=Hawthorne Bridge Painting |publisher=Multnomah County |url=http://www2.co.multnomah.or.us/jsp/Public/EntryPoint?ct=2f3856048e817010VgnVCM9174020ac614acRCRD |archive-url=https://archive.today/20110717085741/http://www2.co.multnomah.or.us/jsp/Public/EntryPoint?ct=2f3856048e817010VgnVCM9174020ac614acRCRD |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 17, 2011 |access-date=November 9, 2006}} During this upgrade, the sidewalks were widened to {{convert|10|ft|m}}, making it a thoroughfare for bicycle commuters. Due to the replacement of the steel deck during this project, the channels which used to carry the rails for streetcars and interurban trains were also removed. The bridge was closed for one year to permit the renovation to be carried out.

The original color of the bridge was black, lasting until 1964, when it was repainted yellow-gold ochre."Portland Voices: Bridge aficionado has answers about Hawthorne colors" (interview with author Sharon Wood). (April 3, 1997). The Oregonian, p. MP-2. During the 1998–99 renovation, the color was changed to green with red trim.

In 2001, the sidewalks were connected to the Eastbank Esplanade. In 2005, the estimated cost to replace the bridge was $189.3 million.{{cite web |title=Hawthorne Bridge Future Needs |date=December 2, 2005 |publisher=Multnomah County |url=http://www2.co.multnomah.or.us/jsp/Public/EntryPoint?ct=984856048e817010VgnVCM1581030ac614acRCRD |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060316231702/http://www2.co.multnomah.or.us/jsp/Public/EntryPoint?ct=984856048e817010VgnVCM1581030ac614acRCRD |archive-date=March 16, 2006 |access-date=December 9, 2014}}

The 2003 film, The Hunted, included a scene set on MAX on the Hawthorne Bridge. Since MAX does not cross the bridge, the movie company connected two articulated buses remodeled to resemble a MAX train, complete with fake overhead lines and a sprinkler system to simulate rain.{{cite news |url=http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=2097 |title=Lights, camera, traffic jam: Filming and construction mean more delays |author=Don Hamilton |newspaper=Portland Tribune |date=March 9, 2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608124231/http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story_2nd.php?story_id=2097 |archive-date=June 8, 2011 |access-date=July 5, 2014}}{{cite news |url=http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=9196 |title=Shhh! Explosions foil quiet attempt by 'The Hunted' to tiptoe back into town |author=Jennifer Anderson |newspaper=Portland Tribune |date=January 18, 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608025243/http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=9196 |archive-date=June 8, 2011 |access-date=July 5, 2014}} Light-rail (interurban) service did cross the Hawthorne Bridge until 1956."Work on [Morrison] Bridge Ramps to Bring Street Closure". The Oregonian, September 13, 1956, p. 1.

The new deck put in place in the outer lanes during the 1998–99 renovation was designed to be strong enough for possible use by modern, heavier streetcars or light rail trains in the future,Stewart, Bill (July 31, 1997). "Streetcars will return to Portland/City will strengthen, repaint Hawthorne Bridge". The Oregonian, p. D1.{{cite web |url=http://www.trainweb.org/mccann/welcome.htm |title=Welcome to the Rose City & NorthWestern: Only in Hollywood do trains still cross Portland's Hawthorne Bridge |publisher=TrainWeb |access-date=December 16, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071216083548/http://www.trainweb.org/mccann/welcome.htm |archive-date=December 16, 2007 |url-status=dead}} which was proposed at that time, and TriMet was still considering a Hawthorne Bridge routing for its future MAX Orange Line, to Milwaukie, in 2002.{{cite news |url=http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story_2nd.php?story_id=12076 |title=Tri-Met, Metro study two light rail plans |author=Don Hamilton |newspaper=Portland Tribune |date=June 14, 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608015410/http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story_2nd.php?story_id=12076 |archive-date=June 8, 2011 |access-date=July 5, 2014}} However, following the transit agency's later decision to build the Tilikum Crossing for the Milwaukie MAX line, which bridge could also be used by the Portland Streetcar,{{cite web |title=Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Project Fact Sheet |date=December 2010 |publisher=TriMet |url=http://trimet.org/pdfs/pm/PMLR_Fact_Sheet_December2010.pdf |access-date=December 17, 2010 |archive-date=April 17, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140417112421/http://trimet.org/pdfs/pm/PMLR_Fact_Sheet_December2010.pdf |url-status=live }} it became unlikely that rail cars will ever again cross the Hawthorne Bridge.

The bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places{{cite news |last=Harden |first=Kevin |date=November 20, 2012 |title=Four downtown bridges earn historic honors |newspaper=Portland Tribune |url=http://portlandtribune.com/pt/9-news/123569-four-downtown-bridges-earn-historic-honors |access-date=November 20, 2012 |archive-date=November 15, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131115085828/http://portlandtribune.com/pt/9-news/123569-four-downtown-bridges-earn-historic-honors |url-status=dead }} in November 2012.

= Bicycle counter =

In August 2012, an automated real-time bicycle counter was installed on the bridge, the first such counter to be installed in a U.S. city.{{cite web |date=March 17, 2013 |title=Portland bike counter: Nudging 1 million trips over the Hawthorne Bridge |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/cycling/index.ssf/2013/03/portland_bike_counter_nudging.html |publisher= |access-date=October 15, 2021 |archive-date=November 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130071839/https://www.oregonlive.com/cycling/index.ssf/2013/03/portland_bike_counter_nudging.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=August 8, 2012 |title=First bike counter in U.S. installed on Hawthorne Bridge |url=https://multco.us/multnomah-county-home/news/first-bike-counter-us-installed-hawthorne-bridge |publisher=Multnomah County |access-date=October 15, 2021 |archive-date=October 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027181304/https://www.multco.us/multnomah-county-home/news/first-bike-counter-us-installed-hawthorne-bridge |url-status=live }} It was purchased by the non-profit group Cycle Oregon for $20,000 and donated to the city.{{cite news |last=Mayer |first=James |title=North America's first bike counter starts work on the Hawthorne Bridge |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=August 8, 2012 |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2012/08/north_americas_first_bike_coun.html |access-date=August 18, 2012 |archive-date=August 11, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120811002200/http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2012/08/north_americas_first_bike_coun.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=First-in-U.S. bike counter installed on Hawthorne Bridge thanks to Cycle Oregon - News - The City of Portland, Oregon |url=https://www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/article/407186 |publisher= |access-date=2021-10-15 |archive-date=2021-10-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018235604/https://www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/article/407186 |url-status=live }} The city paid $5,000 for its installation.{{cite web |last=Peacher |first=Amanda |title=One Less Car, One More Click On The Bike Counter |url=http://www.opb.org/news/article/one-less-car-one-more-click-on-the-bike-counter/ |publisher= |access-date=2021-10-15 |archive-date=2018-11-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130113038/https://www.opb.org/news/article/one-less-car-one-more-click-on-the-bike-counter/ |url-status=live }} The millionth rider was counted in July 2013.{{cite web |title=Millionth bicyclist of 2013 set to cross Hawthorne Bridge on Friday - Portland Business Journal |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/morning_call/2013/07/on-the-hawthorne-1-million-bike.html |publisher= |access-date=2021-10-15 |archive-date=2017-02-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218203706/http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/morning_call/2013/07/on-the-hawthorne-1-million-bike.html |url-status=live }} The counter was broken in 2018 and has not been repaired; no data has been recorded since.{{Cite web |last=NewsDesk |first=6Park |date=October 7, 2021 |title=The Hawthorne Bridge bike counter is down, but not out |url=https://6park.news/oregon/the-hawthorne-bridge-bike-counter-is-down-but-not-out.html |access-date=October 15, 2021 |website=6PARK.NEWS/OREGON |language=en-US |archive-date=May 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240529100320/https://6park.news/oregon/the-hawthorne-bridge-bike-counter-is-down-but-not-out.html |url-status=live }}

Pop culture references

Elliott Smith mentions the Hawthorne Bridge in the song "I Can't Answer You Anymore."{{cite web |title=sweet adeline |url=http://www.sweetadeline.net/lcantanswer.html |access-date=January 13, 2011 |archive-date=July 18, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718143418/http://www.sweetadeline.net/lcantanswer.html |url-status=live }}
Portland composer, Jack Gabel, sampled tire whines and engine drones of vehicles crossing the bridge to make the musique concrète sound track for his 1987 Artquake/Bumbershoot installation, in collaboration with kinetic artist Bill Will and video artist Kurt Spak, titled AUTO-TOMY
The Hawthorne Bridge is mentioned in House Of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski at bottom of p. 508 during one of Johnny Truant's late journal entries. "Portland. Dusk. Walked under the Hawthorne bridge and sat by the Willamette River."{{Cite book |last=Danielewski |first=Mark Z. |title=House Of Leaves |publisher=Pantheon |year=2000 |isbn=0-375-70376-4 |edition=2nd |location=United States of America |pages=508 |language=English}}{{cite web |title=AUTO-TOMY |website=YouTube |date=December 13, 2006 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qP68d1cCrDs |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/qP68d1cCrDs |archive-date=December 12, 2021 |url-status=live |access-date=December 13, 2006}}{{cbignore}}

Gallery

File:HawthorneBridge-Pano.jpg|Panoramic view from the southeast

File:Portland panorama3.jpg|From the Eastbank Esplanade

File:Hawthorne Bridge West.jpg|Seen from the west

File:Cyclists waiting on Hawthorne Bridge during a lift.jpg|Cyclists waiting during a bridge lift

File:Hawthorne Bridge from the southwest with lift span raised slightly.jpg|Lift span being raised

File:Hawthorne Br. west end 2012 with drawbridge sign and other traffic signs.jpg|Sidewalk view from the west in 2012

File:HawthorneBridgeAtNight.jpg|The bridge at night

File:Hawthorne Bridge 0.jpg|The bridge at night – panoramic view

File:Hawthorne Bridge pan - Portland, Oregon.jpg|Panoramic view from south and west

File:Hawthorne Bridge bike counter, 2014.jpg|Bicycle counter in 2014

References

External links

[http://web.multco.us/bridges/hawthorne-bridge Hawthorne Bridge] page on Multnomah County website
{{HAER |survey=OR-20 |id=or0290 |title=Hawthorne Bridge, Spanning Willamette River at Hawthorne Boulevard and Madison Street, Portland, Multnomah County, OR |photos=28 |color=3 |data=70 |cap=4}}
[http://www.portlandonline.com/auditor/index.cfm?&a=23887&c=27928 Photo of the 1910 construction crew] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111204011012/http://www.portlandonline.com/auditor/index.cfm?&a=23887&c=27928 |date=December 4, 2011 }}
{{Structurae|id=20005481|title=Hawthorne Bridge}}

{{Crossings navbox

| structure = Crossings

| place = Willamette River

| bridge = Hawthorne Bridge

| bridge signs =

| upstream = Marquam Bridge

| upstream signs = 20px

| downstream = Morrison Bridge

| downstream signs =

}}

Category:Bridges in Portland, Oregon

Category:Vertical lift bridges in Oregon