Tilikum Crossing, Bridge of the People: Portland's Bridges and a New Icon
Portland is known as Bridge City to many, yet the Tilikum Crossing Bridge is its first new bridge since 1973. Portland's newest bridge is an innovative and distinctive landmark. Tilikum Crossing Bridge of the People is the first major bridge in the U.S, carrying light-rail streetcar trains, busses, streetcars, bicycles, and pedestrians- but no private automobiles. When regional transportation agency TriMet began planning for the first bridge to be constructed across the Willamette River since 1973, the goal was to build something symbolic, which would represent the progressive nature of the twenty-first Century. Part of that progressiveness was engaging in a public process that involved neighborhood associations, Native American stakeholders, small businesses, environmentalists, biologists, bicycling enthusiasts, designers, engineers, and the city council. The result of this collaboration was an entirely unique bridge that increased the transportation capacity of the city while allowing Portlanders to experience their urban home in an entirely new way--car-free.
This book is a friendly, informative look at the bridge's engineering, cable-stayed structure, and unique LED lighting system - along with the history of the city's other bridges that earned Portland the title of Bridge City, and it's historical importance to the Chinook people. This accessible account is accompanied by 98 of MacDonald's own charming color illustrations of Tilikum Crossing.
Learn how the city engaged in a public process that gave citizens, advocacy groups, TriMet, and community stakeholders a voice leading up to the final design of the bridge. Architect Donald MacDonald answers questions on the design, process, and landscape that influenced this bridge that welcomes pedestrians, bicyclists, buses, and light rail - but not cars! This book makes it easy to understand how the bridge was designed and constructed. A fascinating study for those interested in architecture, design, or anyone with a soft spot for Portland. This is a wonderful tribute to Portland's newest icon.
128 pages | ISBN-13 978-0983491774 | 98 color images
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About the Authors
Donald MacDonald is an award-winning architect and the designer of the Tilikum Crossing Bridge. He also designed the east span of the San Francisco Oakland Bay Bridge and was the first architect to work on the Golden Gate Bridge since its original construction. With Ira Nadel, he is the co-author of Golden Gate Bridge: History and Design of an Icon, Bay Bridge: History and Design of a New Icon, and Alcatraz: History and Design of a Landmark. He lives in San Francisco.
Ira Nadel, professor of English at the University of British Columbia, is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and the recipient of numerous awards and prizes. He has lectured around the world and is the author of a number of books, including biographies of James Joyce, Leonard Cohen, Tom Stoppard, Ezra Pound, David Mamet, and Virginia Woolf. With Donald MacDonald, he co-authored Golden Gate Bridge: History and Design of a New Icon, Bay Bridge: History and Design of a New Icon, and Alcatraz: History and Design of a Landmark. He lives in Vancouver, BC.
