Project: South Shore Blvd. Bridge
Location: Lake Oswego, Oregon
Region: Pacific Northwest

Climate:
Moderate temperatures fluctuating between 45° F and 75° F with a high number of overcast skies, especially between early fall and late spring.

Context:
This new bridge spans one of the streams that feed into Lake Oswego. It is surrounded on all four sides by custom homes in one of the nicest suburbs of Portland. The homes in the heavily wooded neighborhood represent a multitude of architectural styles, materials, and details.

Brief Description:
The bridge was designed through a series of design charrettes with a steering committee representing the diverse interests of the neighborhood and community. The bridge’s design responds to the eclectic character of the neighborhood by integrating historical and contemporary imagery. The two abutments were designed in stone to imply a long-standing historic structure, joined by a contemporary span of concrete and playful tendril-like metal rails. The custom lanterns on each of the gateways are designed to reflect the character of a pagoda balanced on the edge of a rock outcropping. The best views of the bridge are from the neighbors and boaters below.

Guiding Metaphor:
Bridges: connecting neighbors, nature, multi-modal transportation, history, and character of the neighborhood.

Structural Systems:
Cast-in-place concrete abutments and columns, precast concrete spans, and steel rails.

Green Features:
Local Camas Basalt stone, construction site recycling, extensive environmental protection of the stream during construction, use of durable and low maintenance natural finishes.

Other Noteworthy Features:
CH2M HILL was the engineering firm behind this successful project. Their use of the charrette process resulted in the steering committees engagement in the design process and buy-in of the final design. The sense of authorship for the design is widespread.