St. Johns Bridge, Suspension bridge in Portland, Oregon, United States.
The St. Johns Bridge is a steel suspension structure spanning 1,207 feet across the Willamette River, featuring twin Gothic-style towers that rise 400 feet above the water and supporting vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic on U.S. Route 30 Bypass.
Completed in 1931 and designed by David B. Steinman and Holton D. Robinson, the bridge became the longest suspension span west of Detroit at the time, providing employment during the Great Depression and replacing a ferry service that carried about 1,000 vehicles daily.
The bridge's Gothic tower arches inspired the name of adjacent Cathedral Park, and it serves as a popular photography location for residents and visitors, representing Portland's engineering heritage and contributing to the city's architectural identity along the Willamette River.
The bridge connects North and Northwest Portland, carrying traffic on U.S. Route 30 Bypass with sidewalks and bike lanes, and underwent major rehabilitation in 2005 that replaced the deck, waterproofed cables, and upgraded lighting for continued safe operation.
Because the bridge stood near Swan Island Municipal Airport, some officials wanted it painted yellow with black stripes for visibility from the air. County officials instead announced a green paint scheme on St. Patrick's Day, 1931.
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