The Sellwood Bridge at the edge of Sellwood Park is one of those quiet starting points that feels like the beginning of an adventure. If you've been following along, today was a bridge loop and this is where it kicked off. Easy parking, clean walkways, and options in every direction. The Springwater Corridor runs off to the right, or you cross over and let the day unfold from there. Simple. Perfect. The bridge itself is something special. The current span opened in 2016, replacing the original 1925 crossing, and it's Portland's only steel deck-arch bridge. That rugged steel underneath paired with the smooth concrete above it's got grit and polish all at once. And those arches? Clean, bold, and built to be admired. Catch it at night and it really comes alive. The arches glow, the river reflects it back, and suddenly it's not just a bridge it's a whole scene. Not the main attraction... but the perfect place to begin. read more

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

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I like the sellwood bridge (the old one was -1 star). It's neither ugly nor beautiful but is functional. The 5pm traffic can get a little interesting at times. This is a great bridge to walk/bike/run as it feels safe and there's room from motor vehicles! read more

"Boy oh boy, if this isn't a bridge then I don't know what is!" That's what I said as I first laid eyes on this gem in SE Portland. Seriously, I actually was probbaly like how the hell did I end up in this hilly graveyard? True story. If this sounds like you, just head east ;) Um, they did a seismic upgrade which is great. The bike lanes are really a strength so you can make fun loops from town or point south for rides or long runs. It's not really an eye pleaser but it gets the job done. Will it outlast the BIG ONE? The on and off ramps are minimal... so if it lasts I bet it will be THE bridge of choice in not just SE Portland but RIP CITY as far as the eye can see. read more

Sellwood Bridge (1925) Under Construction. Ever been on a bridge that's been moved? How bout the felling of Doom as you cross said bridge? Guess what? Now is your chance to enjoy both on one bridge. Yay, fear. I'm kidding. Ish. It's my fear of dying on an outdated bridge that's not earthquake proof & has been put on a temporary stand until the new bridge is completed. read more

Crappy bridge as it has been falling apart for decades but the powers that be had not put any money into improving it until recently- sometimes an ok view but the bridge has been in need of a serious overhaul for many many years. They are finally doing it which makes the commute across the bridge problematic at times but hopefully it improves the functionality and safety of the bridge. The view can be pretty nice on a good day when the water is clear and blue - and the sky is the same. You can also see the beautiful Sellwood Waterfront Park and usually several sailboats in the water during the summer. read more

I can't give the Sellwood Bridge one star cause I still use it every other day, but if you're looking for a dangerous way to cross the Willamette this should definitely be on your list. Other unrecommended methods might be: Circus Cannon Swimming In Post Rain Sewage Molecular Transport (It'll be a while before I'd trust my atoms to be beamed) Flugtag (though Team Yakima did make 62 ft http://www.redbullflugtagusa.com/Portland2008) Thankfully the process of replacing this disaster-waiting-to-happen is under way. http://www.sellwoodbridge.org/ The preferred alternative seems to favor two car lanes, two bike lanes, and two pedestrian walk ways. A big improvement over the two car lanes and one bike/sidewalk that exists now. While the gears of restoration|replacement are turning, it's still going to be awhile before any thing actually happens. So cross at your own risk, maybe practicing "Wingardium Leviosa" (win-GAR-dee-um lev-ee-OH-sa) while you do so. I know yelp provides picture links automatically, but odd habits are hard to break: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/bKkqUj8C5TAU2yzyPo_JoQ?userid=jm_Bn0mveCt0m7PVHNkLeA read more

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

What a difference several years make. The old terribly scary and rickety bridge built in 1925 was replaced. What an interesting thing to watch over time. They built the new bridge right next to the old bridge and allowed traffic to travel across the old span until the new one was finished, and then the old bridge finally came down. I've ridden across the new one several times, and even with my crossing-bridge "phobia" (gephyrophobia), I have to admit there were no white-knuckle moments. I'm impressed! Starting in 2004, TriMet buses weren't allowed to run on the old bridge due to weight restrictions, but I believe this coming Monday (December 5th), the buses on the TriMet route 99 will start using the new bridge. I imagine TriMet riders will be glad to get on buses closer to home and not have to do any transfers from near the Ross Island Bridge. Nice job State of Oregon/City of Portland (not sure whose jurisdiction this new bridge is in). While the old bridge was better looking from a distance, the new more utilitarian bridge (as in no more fears a bridge is going to fall apart while driving over it) is very much to my liking and definitely deserves this five-star rating. read more

Which bridge to review? The new one that they have been talking about as long as I've lived here (at least it feels that way?) or the old one that I am sure was once a very long time ago a good thing... Well there is only one to use for now so I will review that. It is nice looking or at least it has nice details but it is fairly narrow looking. More important it looks warn out. I've never liked taking it so I almost always take the Ross Island and then drive where I am going on the east side.... Hey It works and with all the construction its probably doesnt take more time anymore. i do think its kind of amazing that they were able to move it without it falling apart. So the engeneering aspects of the replacement are amazing to me and soon the new bridge will FINALLY open to traffic! One more month! ok from tomorrow. read more

The Sellwood bridge definitely looks much cooler than many of its brethren (especially that fugly-ass Marquam bridge just to the north) but damn if it ain't about to fall down into the river. It doesn't help my impression of this landmark's durability that the authorities have caught meth-heads stealing metal off of the main structure of the bridge. I still drive over this sucker all the time, but if I do end up in that dirty river below, I won't be too surprised. I'll be dirty, and wet... but I'll take solace in the fact that I'll be able to tell myself "I told me so." Or... uh... not. It is still a cool old bridge, though. Just don't think about it when you drive across it real slow in rush hour in heavy traffic. read more

This is arguably the best bridge that leads directly into my neighborhood. Of course, some people claim to be scared to drive across it. But what are they scared of? Dying? Ha. I have news for all you scared people. You are definitely going to die at some point. Why not on a bridge? Is it better to die in a bed? Maybe it is. Maybe a bridge is a terrible place to die. But I don't think so. I think it's an awesome place to die as places to die go. Four stars for that. And one star to show up all those trembling travelers who write reviews on Yelp about the best bridge into Sellwood ever. There isn't a better one. Who wants one of those gleaming safe bridges anyway? They got no character! I say if it isn't rickety and haunted, don't cross it. And lastly, I think other reviewers of this bridge who gave it two stars should be banned from using it. We don't want scardey cats on our bridge. No sir! read more

By far the worst of all of Portland's bridges to run across. I've crossed this bridge many a time by foot, but almost every crossing has been an incredible inconvenience. The access from the Springwater corridor is absolutely abysmal. You're running along this beautifully paved, flat trail and you're forced to climb 3 stories of stairs when it comes time to cross the bridge. When it finally comes time to run across the bridge, you have a tiny 3ft sidewalk (one side, mind you) that you're forced to share with cyclists and other pedestrians. Someone needs to pass you? Better wait off on the side. Are you running during rush over? Have fun spending 30 minutes crossing the bridge because of all the cyclists that need to pass you. I'll never run across this bridge intentionally. The view from the bridge can be nice on some days, but the bridge itself is a rickety piece of crap and a challenge to cross. read more

This bridge has been "dangerous" and "in need of rebuild" since my parents were kids. That's about 50 years. It's still in need of major, MAJOR repairs, but all anyone gets the gall to do is put some rubber cement between the cracks and tell big trucks not to cross. I am scared for my life when I cross this dilapidated thing. Seriously. read more

The Sellwood Bridge is like an annoying family member. You're not suppose to hate them. They've never done anything THAT terrible. It's hard because I lived in Sellwood for a year and this bridge feels like home, but sometimes the traffic really sucks. The Sellwood Bridge survived all those years with terrible sufficiency ratings. Moving to Portland I drove a very heavy moving truck over it and it didn't collapse. Actually, it never collapsed...it made it though. Good job! Now it's for sale, go figure. Yes, the traffic surrounding the new construction has been terrible, but it's temporary. Live on, Sellwood Bridge, live on. read more

It cost $500k to build- a deal if you ask me. If you judge this bridge by what it offers, rather than focusing so much on the safety thing, you'll see it is worth 5 stars: 1- it has a view of mt hood 2- and St. Helens 3- and a gorgeous river 4- and it's a straight shot to my house, and my hood, which otherwise would take forever to get to, and this hood contains 3 awesome parks, some great cafes and a couple of good restaurants. But too many banks and barbershops! WTF? 5- and of course the best thing about it is that it's still standing! read more

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! I am over it. I mean it literally. Old, little and skinny bridge, I thank you. Please get re-enforcement as I can't help but mentally prepare a watery escape scenario when ever traffic slows to a stop. We've known each other for years and I promise I won't ever hold your age against you. 3 stars for our history and your unsettling e-ticket ride across the river every time I venture across you. I'll be crossing again soon so stay strong! read more

I drive over this bridge on a weekly basis because it is the only route that makes any sense for me to get from my home to the various businesses I patronize in Sellwood. And yes, I know that until the city/county/TriMet gets their collective heads out of their asses and rebuilds it, I am taking my life into my own hands driving over it. But, I love its old-fashioned character, and even its quirky "Men below, please don't throw" signs on either side. Driving over this bridge feels like driving over the older, less flashy bridges over the river in my midwestern home town...in other words, it doesn't feel like being in a big city, just for a minute. I'm sure I'll be bitching during the rebuilding process, but until then, I'll be crossing it with my fingers crossed and looking towards the future. read more

Hey guys, besides us, do you think anyone else thinks to themselves, "Oh shit, I should Yelp this bridge before I cross it??" Eek! Methinks not.......The one star is for our stupidity. read more

Hang in there buddy. Don't let the haters get you down. Please let these 5 beautiful stars serve as encouragement to stay on the up and up. read more

To me, the Ross Island and Sellwood Bridge are similar in structure. The Sellwood is a little easier on the eyes, but not by much. It's function in general is the same as the Ross Island bridge, to relieve traffic off of the main Portland byways. Well, it's never broke on me before, so that's more than three stars in of itself. read more

ZERO stars.........100 million over priced...but it's other peoples money so who cares...vote city council OUT. Michigan was able to replace collapsed bridge (6 lanes) for MUCH less. Not to mention its 60' wide and STILL only 2 lanes for cars........ODOT sucks. We need more roads....we drive CARS read more

''The old Sellwood with Oaks park at it's foot is in a unique spot and one of the older Bridges in Portland 1925 and close to the SW Downtown area!'' I use this Bridge only one per year on labor day when family and friends attend a labor day picnic? 5 stars*****! ''Thank you'' read more

Yay! Always wear your life jacket while crossing. My heart beats a little bit faster going over this bridge. It's an amazing engineering feat, but it gives you amazing views of Turd creek, AKA the mighty Willamette river. Stocked full of boneless brown trout. read more