Carfree Bridge Planned Near Portland

A new plan for a carfree bridge between Oregon City and West Linn, across the Willamette River, is quickly taking shape in Oregon.

1 minute read

March 31, 2021, 8:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Carfree Bridge

Oregon Department of Transportation / Oregon City-West Linn Pedestrian-Bicycle Bridge Concept Plan

"The Oregon Department of Transportation has just released visualizations of potential alignments for a new carfree bridge across the Willamette River that would connect Oregon City and West Linn," reports Jonathan Maus.

Bike Portland has been reporting on the "Oregon City-West Linn Pedestrian-Bicycle Bridge Concept Plan" since the new bridge was announced last fall. The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is hoping that having a plan in place will create funding opportunities for new forms of federal funding emerging from the Biden administration's economic recovery efforts. ODOT is planning the new bridge in partnership with the cities of West Linn and Oregon City, Clackamas County, and Metro.

According to Maus, ODOT "understands that a new bridge for bikers, walkers, and mobility device users will help cities on both sides of the river capitalize on future demand given the myriad tourism, real estate, and transportation infrastructure developments planned for the area."

The current plan includes consideration for five potential alignments—three options south of the existing Oregon City-West Linn Arch Bridge and two north of it. The list of five alternatives was culled with the help of public feedback from 15 previous alternatives.

ODOT is already seeking public comment on the bridge plans revealed this week, with an online open house running through April 13.

Tuesday, March 30, 2021 in Bike Portland

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Metrorail train pulling into newly opened subterranean station in Washington, D.C. with crowd on platform taking photos.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”

The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

June 2, 2025 - The Hill

Large crowd on street in San Francisco, California during Oktoberfest festival.

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns

In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

June 2, 2025 - Robbie Silver

Street scene in Kathmandu, Nepal with yellow minibuses and other traffic.

The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs

Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.

1 hour ago - Fast Company

Bike lane in Washington D.C. protected by low concrete barriers.

DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint

Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.

3 hours ago - The Washington Post

Bird's eye view of studio apartment design.

In These Cities, Most New Housing is Under 441 Square Feet

With loosened restrictions on “micro-housing,” tiny units now make up as much as 66% of newly constructed housing.

5 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive