A busy bridge, somewhat minimalist and unremarkable in architecture, the Morrison connects Belmont St to downtown, and allows on-ramp access to the highways. The highlight of the bridge, for me, is literally the nightly lights displayed on the side. They'll be colored to fit with a theme or event like a local sports team's win or an awareness month. It adds a night element to the river view at night! read more

Morrison Bridge - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Of all the bridges in Portland, and there are 12, I travel the Morrison Bridge the most. Centrally located with convenient drop offs onto I-5 and I-84 from central downtown, I am on this bridge constantly! The good news, is I am typically going in the opposite direction of traffic making this bridge a fast and efficient Way to get to my gym on the east side in the morning. When I lived on the east side and commuted to Hillsboro, I didn't like this bridge too much! Because I was always in traffic. But that isn't the fault of the bridge. It's a nice wide street with beautiful views looking north or south and great vistas of the downtown buildings and Tom McCall Park where so many festivals take place. I've also walked across the Morrison many times and I really enjoy it. The walkway is wide, there are ramps on either end making the incline super easy. On the south side there are also stairways. The view from up top is beautiful, especially in a blue sky day and in the fall. I especially like looking over the lush green hill at Tom McCall Park. Today it was sunny then instantly turned to rain, but it was still gorgeous with the huge expanse of storm clouds as a backdrop to the Willamette and downtown. Only once in 20 years was I on the bridge when it stopped to open. It's a drawbridge and I was the first car stopped behind the opening and it was truly incredible. Also a little intimidating since I drive a tiny Smart car! read more

See all

- Nice colored lighting at night (you'll see plenty of pics of it at the Saturday Market) - large 4-lane span to accommodate heavy traffic volume - the ONLY local bridge with direct onramp access to I-5N or I-84E - Spacious sidewalks on both sides for pedestrians and bikers - It's West-side off-ramp to Southbound Naito Parkway puts you super close to the world's smallest city park (Mill End's Park) :-) It's not fancy, but it gets the job done. The Morrison Bridge is just as important as its other bridgey-brothers: Ross Island, Hawthorne, Burnside, Steel, and Broadway. read more

Morrison Bridge - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Portland, Oregon

See all

This and Hawthorne Bridge were the two main bridges I used while I was in Portland for the weekend. This one has more of a "street" vibe to it, and felt less like a highway than the other bridges I crossed while in the area, but I love that! At night, you get great views of the city while driving across, reflecting beautifully in the water. This also has a direct on-ramp to 84E and I-5, as well as sidewalks for pedestrian access. The lanes are a bit wider, so they are more comfortable to drive on as well. read more

While visiting Portland crossed the Morrison Bridge a few times. I really enjoyed all the bridges and crossing them. Almost all of them had nice views on both sides. read more

Morrison Bridge - From the water - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Despite the fact that this is a wide bridge, and that there is access west-bound to downtown Portland from I-84, this is considered a street, not a highway bridge, so to get mad and write a bad review because you got a ticket for speeding is not a good thing. At either end of the bridge is a traffic light, so be careful and slow down. It is also the only bridge to have direct access to I-5N and I-84W, so this is convenient in this City of Bridges. The Morrison Bridge is a bascule bridge that spans the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon. Completed in 1958, it is the third bridge at approximately the same site to carry that name. It is one of the most heavily used bridges in Portland. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in November 2012. This is one of my favorite bridges, as when I first moved to Portland in January of 1998, I lived on the East side of the bridge, and would bike across when I went on my travels to the west side. This bridge brings happy memories and dreams, is a smooth ride across whether on foot, on a bike or in a car. I love the sleek look, as it is not flashy. read more

Morrison Bridge - View of the bridge from the east bank esplanade. - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Portland, Oregon

See all

Morrison Bridge (1958) Four one-way streets converge on this city bridge that carries more than 55,000 cars every day. The bridge is also home to Oregon's largest piece of mechanical engineering. Giant gears housed under the deck, lift the drawbridge. Once the longest span west of the Mississippi, this is the third bridge to be built at this site. It affords the best river view of Waterfront Park and the Hawthorne Bridge. read more

In Portland it's easy to take a bridge walk and I've taken 4 over my several trips to the Rose City. Here are my stories....(Cue the Law and Order Clang). The Morrison Bridge is a double leaf "Chicago Style" bascule bridge that spans the Willamette River. It was built in 1958 and replaced 1887 and 1905 bridges at this location. The bridge is named after John L. Morrison, a Scottish immigrant who built the first home on Morrison Street. It's the largest mechanical device in Oregon. 36 ft. tall gears drive 940-ton counterweights located inside each of the piers. The 69 ft. clearance is sufficient for most river traffic, requiring bridge openings only about 30 times a month. It currently carries 50,000 vehicles daily in six lanes. The canted windows of the control tower give the distinctive look of air traffic control towers. In 1987 the Morrison Bridge became the first bridge illuminated by the Willamette Light Brigade. In 2007 the original 16 colored floodlamps illuminating the concrete piers were replaced by energy efficient and computer controlled LEDs. Millions of colors may be selected for each of eight zones of the piers. Static and animated patterns may also be requested for a fee. My walk across the bridge was interesting in the starkness of the East Side between the Burnside and Morrison spans, the various homeless residents, and "hanging" stairways (with turns in between) that should have been designed by M.C. Escher. And due to the heavy traffic on this bridge, it's best not to take any shortcuts. read more

Yelp keeps removing my review because "it wasn't clear that your review described your firsthand experience as a customer of Morrison Bridge." I don't know exactly what it means to be a customer of a bridge, but I'm pretty sure walking across it qualifies me to review. And I've walked across the Morrison Bridge many times, thoroughly enjoying the experience. And every time I cross the bridge, I sing to myself: James James Morrison Morrison Weatherby George Dupree Took great Care of his Mother, Though he was only three. James James Said to his Mother, "Mother," he said, said he; "You must never go down to the end of the town, if you don't go down with me." Then again, maybe Yelp shouldn't throw every item in its GIS database onto the web site. Consider filtering out things that don't actually have "customers". Cuz otherwise you're pretty much begging for a not-too-serious review. read more

This bridge is great. Not only does it connect downtown with the east side, but with I-5. It has good sidewalks, and the lanes are wider then some of the other bridges(or at least feel it I haven't measured them). Also there arn't big beams splitting traffic headed the same way. All this makes for a mor open feel, and nice views. All this while getting its job done. Getting me across the river. read more

The Morrison Bridge is truly the red headed step child of Bridgetown. Surrounded by more elaborately architected bridges it's easy for it to get overlooked. Looks aside Morrision Bridge is a damn work horse, hooking up to the 5 freeway and handling traffic like nobodies business. I admit my bias as it is my neighbor and gets me to work daily without a hitch. As for biking I will say I prefer other bridges but even so, it is my favorite. read more

There's a poem about Chicago by Carl Sandburg one line of which is "city of the big shoulders." While I was thinking about reviewing this bridge, that's the first thought that popped into my mind. The Morrison Bridge has the big shoulders needed to handle the traffic of the city and even its festivals (bridge raising for the ships). It's not as architecturally attractive as are some of its sister bridges, but it gets the job done reliably without fuss, and that's all anyone could ever ask of a bridge. I've always been happy that they chose the Morrison to light up. It's a welcoming beacon to me driving into Portland along with the City of Portland-White Stag sign. It's one of the first bridges I remember clearly from childhood because my family used it a lot either via I-84 or coming downtown from East Multnomah County via Mt. Tabor and Belmont. It almost always meant good times, traveling downtown for Rose Festival or other city fun. It always seemed like we cruised across the Morrison quickly versus the funny stuttering drive across the Hawthorne. Even though I'm a white knuckled bridge crosser from childhood, this bridge has never given me the fear say that the Sellwood Bridge has instilled, even when it made us stop to wait while it raised for a ship. You're an old pal, Morrison Bridge, long may you rise for Rose Festival ships and carry on the daily business of the city. read more

What can I say, this bridge is awesome. I can get to work off the Morrison Bridge by either taking water avenue or grand avenue. I can't imagine having to get on the 84 or 5 during peak driving time, it is so convenient to have quick access to so much of PDX with this bridge. I also like that they maintain this bridge for repairs, upgrades and it is always clean. Overall, it has amazing views of the sunrise in the morning, and the sun feels good on your face when you are going over it from the SE side to the SW side. read more

Morrison Bridge - Bridge is up! - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Morrison is where everything I love in Portland started. Morrison Hotel. 5050 SW Morrison. Morrison St. Apartments. And of course the Morrison bridge can't be left out. For each and every day I traverse the broad expanse of high load bearing concrete over the troubled waters that are the willamette river to bring starbucks to my lover. I think the Morrison bridge loves me too, for it has never been raised upon my approach. read more

Occasionally useful going from Eastside to downtown and not an eyesore like the ugly highway bridges, but lacks the intimacy and deep connectedness of the Hawthorne and the Industrial magnificence of the Steel Bridge. Perhaps some bunting... read more

Well, I think the Morrison bridge is just great. It's always there when I need it. What more could you really ask for in a bridge? I mean, sure, it's not a pretty as some of the Portland bridges, but it really pulls through when you need it. Consistency is valued here. Thank you, Morrison Bridge, for all that you do. read more

There are a lot of bridges in Portland and I walked across most of them during my visit; this one was particularly pretty in the evening with all the lights and given its location also quite nice for pictures. Additionally convenient for the days during which I was car-bound I realize it seems strange to "review" a bridge, but something about this one really stuck out to me. read more

I love walking on this bridge. It is glorious and beautiful, just like Portland. The views are fantastic and the breeze feels great. The dedicated bike lane is wonderful for a speedy way across too. I love you Morison Bridge. read more

BEWARE! While the Morrison Bridge looks and feels like a highway, the speed limit is 25 miles per hour! I learned the hard way. PDX is using photo radar vans throughout the city--including the Morrison Bridge. The stated purpose of the photo radar is to improve neighborhood livability and protect children, both objectives I support. But as a visitor from out of town, 25 miles per hour on a six lane, highway bridge that can not be called a neighborhood in any sense of the word is dubious! This seems abusive to me. read more

Great bridge, wide bike and foot-paths. It has excellent views and ends near the hair of the dog brewery. 5/5 would recommend.

''I think the Morrison is not the most impressive Bridge in Portland in my opinion as it's more like a wide street than a Bridge and not so intimidating as other Portland Bridges such as the Fremont [example] which is so High above the river water and all? but I use it frequently when I find my self in SE Portland anywhere near Grand!'' It's has a great access to I-5 when one uses the cloverleaf access and straight Home? 5 stars*****! ''Thank you'' read more

The only reason I'm reviewing this bridge is because I got stuck on this very short bridge for about 45 minutes as I was stuck in horrible Portland gridlock traffic during rush hour. Had nothing else to do but to check-in and draft a review. read more