Partners

Broadway Bridge Rall Wheel Replacement

After more than a century of use, the eight-foot diameter steel wheels that help open and close the Broadway Bridge are ready to be replaced.

Project Facts

  • Construction is planned to begin in January 2017 and be completed in early 2018.
  • There will be full bridge closures on several nights and weekends.
  • One traffic lane will remain open in each direction for most of this time.
  • Minimal impacts to bridge sidewalks
  • Streetcars and buses will be able to use the bridge most of the time.
  • At times, only one of two spans of the drawbridge will be able to open.
  • Some construction noise may occur at night.

The Broadway is a rare type of bridge- a Rall-wheel double-leaf drawbridge. It uses four large steel wheels to roll back and engage larger weights that lift its two center spans. It’s a complicated design, but it opens faster and uses less energy than other bridges of its era. It also allows ships of any height to pass.

These four Rall wheels have been in use since the bridge opened in 1913. After more than a century of hard work, the wheels and their tracks are worn out and need to be replaced.

Fixing The Bridge

Replacing the Rall wheels is a very complex project. The Rall wheels support the entire weight of the opening spans- 2250 tons each. This means the work can only happen when the spans are closed. In order to allow river traffic to pass, one span will be free to lift while the other is being repaired. Then the contractor will switch sides and work on the other lift span leaf. Replacing the wheels will take about three months for each side. After the Rall wheels, tracks and struts are replaced, the contractor will replace brakes and equalizers on the lift span. This last phase of work will be completed between Fall 2017 and Spring 2018 and will have minimal impact on traffic.

In order to work quickly and efficiently, Multnomah County hired a consultant team that includes both engineering and construction skills. Designers Hardesty & Hanover, LLC, will work with contractor Hamilton Construction to plan together and create the best approach to fixing the bridge. The estimated construction cost for the project is $12 million.

Traffic Impacts

30,000 vehicles cross the Broadway’s four lanes every day, as well as 2,000 bicycles, a streetcar line, a bus route, and many people on foot. The bridge is an important connection between the Pearl District, Rose Quarter and lower NE Broadway area.

Repair work is being planned to reduce impacts to traffic. At the same time, we must keep the drawbridge operating so large ocean-going vessels can pass.

One center traffic lane will remain open each way during the Rall wheel work (January 2017 to September 2017).  There will be minimal impacts to sidewalks. Streetcars and buses will be able to use the bridge. However, there will be brief times (on nights and weekends) where the bridge will be closed to all traffic. This will be when traffic control is set up and removed and when large pieces of equipment and parts are moved on the bridge.

Noise Impacts

Some night work may be needed, mostly to set up a new work area. We will take a number of steps to be respectful of our neighbors:

•    All equipment will comply with US Environmental Protection Agency noise standards. 
•    Reduce truck movements at night.
•    Use silent “smart alarms” instead of standard reverse signal beep alarms on vehicles at night.
•    Use portable noise meters onsite to measure noise levels.
•    Build containment structures to help muffle construction noise.
•    Maintain a 24-hour telephone response line for noise complaints.
•    Address complaints within 24 hours or before the next scheduled night work.

The project will seek a noise variance from the City of Portland to do work on some nights, to minimize traffic impacts on commuters.  The Noise Control Office(link is external) will accept public testimony on the variance request at a meeting on Wednesday, October 12 at 6 pm at City Hall, 1221 SW 4th Ave. The Noise Review Board(link is external) will vote on the variance at a meeting that has been scheduled on October 19 at 6 p.m. at the same location.

Contact Us

Please use this form to contact the project team with any questions or comments or to sign up for project updates.

-Multnomah County

BIKETOWN and Validated Announce Partnership

West coast lifestyle app Validated and Portland bike share program BIKETOWN announce first-of-its-kind partnership that lets shops and restaurants validate bike share costs.

To kick off the partnership, BIKETOWN and Validated are launching #GetValidated when you fill your #BIKETOWNbasket: a co-marketing campaign to encourage people to do two things this season: shop local and explore freely.

Article continues at Digital Journal

Press Release Service by Newswire.com

Lloyd Cycle Station to Donate Bike

Lloyd Cycle Station will donate a bike to Community Cycling Center's Holiday Bike Drive for every 100 members who join by September 30th.

Sign up now for the Lloyd Cycle Station and waive the $20 admin fee!

"The Lloyd Cycle Station at Hassalo on Eighth is a world-class bike parking facility for anyone residing in, working in, or visiting the Lloyd neighborhood. With 600 secure bike parking spaces, deluxe shower facilities, lockers, and a bike repair and wash station, it will make you look forward to riding your bike every day." More information here!

~Lloyd Cycle Station

Join the Oregon Drive Less Challenge

Every trip counts in the Oregon Drive Less Challenge from October 1 to October 15! Take advantage of healty, green travel options for work, school and play. Burn calories instead of gas by biking to work, or walking to the store. Divide the ride and the cost by carpooling, or vanpooling. Take the bus and let someone else drive so you can listen to music.

Log your trips into DriveLessConnect.com and WIN!

It's Easy!

  • Sign up at DriveLessConnect.com
  • Bike, Take the bus or train, carpool, vanpool, walk or telework, for work, errands, or play
  • Log trips from October 1 - October 15
  • Challenge yourself to drive less, or join/form a team to compete
  • WIN PRIZES!

Need Help?
Contact Kathryn Doherty-Chapman at kathryn@golloyd.org or 503-236-6441

Possible prizes include:

  • KEEN Shoes
  • Hydro Flasks
  • Queen Bee Messenger Bags
  • Dutch Bros. $25 Gift Cards
  • $50 REI Gift Cards
  • GenZe Electric Bikes, or $500 Cash Cards!

Livable Lloyd

The Lloyd neighborhood now has a residential committee, a place for neighbors to gather together and work together to make a great neighborhood. Livable Lloyd is the resident committee of the Lloyd District Community Association (LDCA). The LDCA is a group of business leaders and residents working together to make our community a better place to live, work, and play. Members enjoy benefits of networking with other leaders in the community and a loud voice for concerns regarding City issues. Join us to make the Lloyd District the place you want to be in.

LDCA is joining forces with Go Lloyd and Lloyd EcoDistrict for a better community experience. We are pleased to announce Livable Lloyd, formerly known as the LDCA Resident Forum. Please join us in Velomor's Peloton Lounge for our first meeting on August 22 from 6-7pm! We will be sharing our vision for Livable Lloyd and accepting volunteer requests for our first "Love Lloyd" Trash Clean-Up on September 24th.

Job Opportunity: Lloyd EcoDistrict Communications and Outreach Intern

Lloyd EcoDistrict is a visionary non-profit business organization which seeks to make the Lloyd District the most sustainable business district in North America. Lloyd EcoDistrict does this by achieving efficiency and effectiveness through scale, working together on energy efficiency, transportation, water and waste management as a district rather than as an individual person, building or business. Lloyd EcoDistrict believes that this scale is right: small enough to innovate quickly, big enough to have a meaningful impact.

Lloyd EcoDistrict is seeking an individual who has experience (school or work) in communications, graphic design and community outreach. In addition, you should have a demonstrated passion for sustainability efforts. This intern position will provide support to the Executive Director, assisting with development and fundraising activities, outreach and marketing of events and activities, and provide general communication support.

Event coordination and community outreach

  • Assist the Executive Director with event development coordination.
  • Staff outreach events such as the EcoFair, City Repair Project, Pop-Up Park, E-Bike Takeover.
  • Attend community based meetings to represent the Lloyd EcoDistrict.
  • Assist with community outreach designed to promote, engage, educate and inform the community about the goals of the LED.

General Marketing support

  • Update and create marketing materials for corporation and foundation grant seeking suitable for print and web based platforms.
  • Intern will co-create:
    • Pamphlets
    • Program descriptions
    • Event signage, posters, web links
    • PowerPoint presentations

Social Media & Web-based work

  • Maintain updates to Lloyd EcoDistrict Facebook and Twitter accounts, and grow the number of followers to the accounts.
  • Update blog and website.

Requires experience or skills in the following areas:

  • roficiency in graphic design programs such as InDesign and as well as blogging platforms such as WordPress. Ability to work independently, self-directed and confident in a variety of settings (corporate, small business, government, and local community groups). This position may require some work during evenings and weekends.
  • Strong inter-personal and cultural competence skills.
  • A demonstrable commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity.
  • Strong organizational and time-management skills.
  • Strong written and oral communication skills including the effective use of social media.
  • Experience with basic computer programs including but not limited to Microsoft Office Suite, Constant Contact, Google applications/tools, or other virtual communication and outreach methods.

If interested, please send resume, cover letter, and a sample of your writing and design work to courtney@ecolloyd.org. No phone calls. Position is open until filled.

Salary: $12.00/hour to start, 15-20 hours/week. Flexible hours. Please send cover letter and resume to courtney@ecolloyd.org by March 18, 2016.

Lloyd EcoDistrict - 2203 Lloyd Center, Portland, OR 97232

Job Opportunity: Explore Washington Park Seasonal Traffic Operations Manager

Explore Washington Park (formerly the Washington Park TMA) will be hiring a full-time seasonal Event Traffic Operations Manager from November 19 - January 3.

This person will be in charge of enacting the transportation management plan for Washington Park during ZooLights, as well as coordinating police, fire, traffic flaggers, and other essential staff during this event.  He/she will also be in charge of activating overflow shuttle lots and ensuring all transportation aspects of Washington Park run safely during the ZooLights event.  

The schedule is Wednesday - Sunday, 3:00 pm to 11:00 pm, with some overtime available at time and a half. 

Explore Washington Park is looking for someone with strong leadership skills who can handle high stress situations, has exceptional problem solving skills, and can think on his or her feet.  This person should be able to stand for prolonged periods and work outside in all conditions. 

Portland Streetcar: Get in the Loop

With the opening of Tilikum Crossing last month, Portland Streetcar service expanded on both sides of the river. While the NS line remains unchanged, the CL line has been replaced with the A and B loops. 

The A Loop operates clockwise and the B Loop counter-clockwise, connecting the Pearl District, PSU, OMSI, and Lloyd in both directions. Visit PortlandStreetcar.org to download a detailed route map or check the revised service schedule (available online only, no hardcopies printed).

Unfortunately, despite the oh-so-recent completion of the streetcar loops, untimely construction on the Broadway Bridge will require a temporary disruption of Portland Streetcar service on the A and B between Sunday, October 11th through October 27th (motor vehicle and bus service will also be disrupted by construction, but sidewalks will remain open for people biking and walking). Below is the construction closure map: