PBOT is doing maintenance work on another bridge. After the following, they again remind us that they have about 1000 times too little money to bring Portland's bridges up to code. That is neither a joke nor much of exaggeration.
(Aug. 8, 2025) The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) will conduct expansion joint repairs and replacements on the Vista Bridge from Monday, Aug. 11 through Friday, Aug. 15, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
During construction, the bridge will be closed to all motor vehicles. Steel plates will be installed at the end of each workday to allow access for people driving motor vehicles outside of work hours.
Southbound traffic will be detoured at SW Park Place, to SW Salmon, to SW 13th Avenue to Montgomery Drive. Northbound motorists will be detoured to SW Montgomery Drive to SW 13th Avenue.
Sidewalks will remain open for pedestrians and bicyclists during work hours. Flaggers will allow access for TriMet vehicles and first responders through the work zone.
The bridge carries an estimated 11,000 vehicle trips per day.
The traveling public is advised to expect delays, travel cautiously, observe all closures and directions by flaggers, and use alternate routes if possible. Local access to residences and businesses will remain available.
As always, please keep our crews safe by following all traffic control signs and flaggers while travelling through or near work zones. Go slow when traveling on alternate routes.
The 99-year-old structure, formally known as the Vista Avenue Viaduct, was built in 1926 to link SW Portland neighborhoods to Washington Park and Downtown Portland. Its architecture is typical of the popular arched bridges that were built in the 1920s and 1930s. It carried the Council Crest streetcar line, which was later disbanded. A 50th anniversary party was held for the structure in 1976, and it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. More background is available on the National Register Nomination Form, available online.
"tower of memories" - ivri
