Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Streetsblog

50,000 Portlanders Turn Out to Preview the Car-Free “People’s Bridge”

Photos: Michael Andersen/BikePortland
Photos: Michael Andersen/BikePortland
false

On Sunday residents of Portland got a preview of Tilikum Crossing, a.k.a. the "Bridge of the People," described by Michael Andersen of BikePortland as "the first bridge in the United States to carry buses, bikes, trains, streetcars and people walking but no private cars."

Tilikum Crossing is the first bridge constructed over the Willamette River in over 40 years. "Tilikum" is Chinook for "people," and Andersen says they turned out in droves to cross their bridge ahead of its official opening in a few weeks.

The crossings began with an early-morning VIP ride and continued with the Providence Bridge Pedal bike ride, then an open crossing for people with disabilities and finally by the three-hour “People’s Preview” for anyone and everyone.

TriMet spokeswoman Mary Fetsch, helping direct traffic at the west landing, was one of several TriMet officials present to marvel at the throngs who showed up. At about 3 p.m., with more than an hour left to go, she estimated that more than 20,000 people had crossed.

By mid-evening after the event, she’d upped her estimate to “40,000 to 50,000.”

“Where are they all coming from?” deputy project director Dave Unsworth asked happily about an hour later, as people continued to stream across the river. He was straddling a bicycle on the west landing and directing people to avoid getting their wheels stuck between the MAX tracks. “Are they arriving in busloads on the other side?”

tilikum-overhead-540x334
false

Elsewhere on the Network today: Second Avenues Sagas reports that New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has disavowed responsibility for New York rail infrastructure, and Greater Greater Washington says the DC Department of Transportation plans to protect Pennsylvania Avenue bike lanes from U-turning drivers.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Eyes on the Street: DOT’s ‘Broadway Vision’ Starts to Clear Up

The Department of Transportation has transformed Broadway into a new corridor for pedestrians and cyclists.

July 8, 2025

Amsterdam Leads the Way on E-Bike Regulation — Should New York Follow Suit?

The city's biking- and walking-friendly streets expose the hypocrisy harsh e-bike enforcement without better street design.

July 8, 2025

Tuesday’s Headlines: Rethinking Avenue B Edition

DOT is taking feedback on the future of Avenue B. Plus more news.

July 8, 2025

Eric Adams’s ‘Dept. of Sustainable Delivery’ Isn’t Actually A Department

The "Department of Sustainable Delivery" will launch with 45 "peace officers" in 2028, the mayor said on Monday.

July 7, 2025

New Air Quality Stats Dispel Earlier Forecasts for Congestion Pricing Pollution

Air quality has improved or remained steady across the five boroughs since congestion pricing launched in January, city health department data showed.

July 7, 2025

‘Rush’ Routes Debut in Queens Bus Map Overhaul More Than Five Years in the Making

The MTA's new "rush" routes make fewer stops in busy downtown areas to avoid wasted time merging in and out of traffic.

July 7, 2025
See all posts