Broadway Bridge, Spanning Willamette River at Broadway Street, Portland, Multnomah County, OR

Significance: The Broadway Bridge is the first bascule span built in Portland and, at the time constructed, the longest in the United States. Its completion resulted in a dramatic shift in land values and business concentration in Portland. Those consequences profoundly influenced subsequent Willamette River bridge construction decisions. Ralph Modjeski, a premier American bridge engineer, designed the Bridge, incorporating the largest Rall-type bascule ever built, now one of the few surviving Rall mechanisms. Its Lovejoy Ramp, designed by Gustav Lindenthal in 1926-27, was removed during this recording project.
Unprocessed Field note material exists for this structure: FN-9
Unprocessed Field note material exists for this structure: N872
Survey number: HAER OR-22
Building/structure dates: 1912-1913 Initial Construction