Photos: Gibbs Bridge Opening

The long-awaited bridge is OPEN. The grand opening ceremony took place this weekend, with Sam and many others.

Here are some photos from opening day:

Gibbs St Merry-Go-Round

I just decided to tack this latest update on to my previous post, as my fingers are getting tired from typing Gibbs St Bridge Update posts.... open to the public "soon" and official ceremony taking place on July 14.

Gibbs Street Bridge Update

July 2, 2012

Grand Opening is Scheduled for Saturday, July 14

 

The Gibbs Steet Bridge will open to the public in early July before a Grand Opening celebration with Mayor Sam Adams and former Rep. Darlene Hooley on Saturday, July 14. The festivities will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and include an opening ceremony, tours and free Tram rides all day. Mark your calendars and plan on attending!

 

In the meantime, final construction work continues. This work includes the installation of closed circuit security cameras that will monitor both the bridge and the Portland Aerial Tram tower.

June 23, 2012
OK, another update on the Gibbs St Bridge, and this time we are back to "opening soon"... who knew this little bridge announcement would be so dramatic?

This is good!  and it sounds like the reversion is due to a public expression of support for the bridge, (and perhaps a bit of frustration?) You all must be excited about walking to work, walking to PSU, walking to the Farmers' Market on Saturdays, etc.

Gibbs Street Bridge Update

June 22, 2012

Bridge Opening is Slated for Early July

The Portland Bureau of Transportation announced that the Gibbs Street Bridge will open to the public within two weeks, after it rescheduled a Grand Opening celebration to accommodate the certification of the bridge's elevator.

Final items of construction work are still underway, including installation of closed circuit security cameras that will monitor both the bridge and the Portland Aerial Tram tower.

The Transportation Bureau heard from residents on both sides of the bridge emphasizing their excitement about reconnecting Lair Hill with the river for the first time in decades. Opening a bridge that is safe and accessible to all is a top priority for PBOT.

MySouthWaterfront.com history of Gibbs St Bridge posts:

June 15 - Grand Opening Delayed

May 25 - Opening June 23

Jan 13 - Bridge Span Connected

Dec 20, 2011 - Gibbs Project Update

Nov 8, 2011 - Span Placement & I-5 Closure

Nov 6, 2011 - Nighttime Noise & Span Placement

Gibbs St Bridge Grand Opening Delayed

This just in from the PBOT office: the Gibbs St Bridge Grand Opening (was June 23) has been rescheduled to July or August due to elevator certification.

"Gibbs Street Bridge Update

June 15, 2012

 

Grand Opening is rescheduled 

The Portland Bureau of Transportation sent a “save the date” notice for a June 23 Grand Opening of the Gibbs Street Bridge to stakeholders last month. Today, we’re letting those same people know that the bridge opening has been rescheduled to July or August, with a specific date to be determined in the coming weeks.

 

The opening was rescheduled to accommodate a new timeline for certification of the bridge’s elevator. Having a certified elevator that is open to the public is the top priority for PBOT staff and contractors working to complete the project.

 

The Transportation Bureau thanks Portlanders for their patience as we work to reconnect Lair Hill and the Willamette River with a pedestrian and bicycle bridge that is both functional and attractive. Details on when and how the bridge will open – possibly opening the bridge with signs indicating that the elevator is not in service – will be communicated as soon as possible."

When is that Gibbs St Bridge going to open?!

Gibbs Bridge under construction
(circa Jan. 2012)

Here's an update from the city:

Gibbs Street Bridge Update

May 25, 2012

 

Opening Soon

We are hoping to have all work completed by mid-June so we can open the bridge: crews are currently finalizing the “punch list” items on the bridge and the elevator is nearing completion before a final inspection from the state.

 

Save the Date!

Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 23 between 10 am and 2 pm for a Grand Opening that include an opening ceremony, walking tours, and free Tram rides from 9 am - noon.

 

More details will be announced in a few weeks.

Gibbs St Pedestrian Bridge

Have you seen the bright lights across the freeway the past few nights on the Gibbs St Pedestrian Bridge project?  I was up with the baby around 3:00am, and observed the work, noise and lights, as promised on the project website:

"Lair Hill and South Waterfront residents can expect night time noise including noise from trucks and cranes, lights powered by generators, and high powered drills. The most noise is expected between 11:00 pm and 3:00 am when crews will bolt the bridge spans together."

Actually, this is exciting - the bridge span placement has begun. The first segment was installed on Friday night (Nov. 4).

Here are some shots taken this morning from the west side of I-5: