Blue Bridge (Oregon) - Background and Development

Background and Development

In the 1930s, a flat wooden bridge was constructed to allow crossing over the lake. Excavation on the north side of the lake began in 1957 to accommodate the construction of new dormitories. After more than a year's research by the architect and a plywood company, the wooden bridge was replaced in 1959 by the "first official canyon bridge" called the Arthur M. Churchill Memorial Bridge. The bridge, more commonly referred to as the Cross Canyon Bridge, was designed by the architectural firm Farnham, Shell & Hoyt and was dedicated in 1958 along with the newly-completed dormitories. The bridge was supported by two cantilevers of pre-stressed plywood and was covered with a thin canvas membrane. It was 132 feet long and 15 feet high with stairs at each end. Its unique design made the bridge the only one of its kind in the world. The canvas membrane was later determined to be too slippery.

Replacement of the Arthur M. Churchill Memorial Bridge arose from the Campus Facilities Master Plan, adopted by the City of Portland in 1990. The initial feasibility study offered six replacement options constructed of wood. Reed College's Canyon Committee selected the option which routed access to the north end of the bridge at the lawn south of Chittick dormitory, following the existing alignment between Chittick, Coleman and Woodbridge dormitories. During the schematic design phase, Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Partnership (now known as ZGF Architects LLP) considered four conceptual structures: concrete, steel beam, steal truss and wood. ZGF recommended concrete to the Canyon Committee, offering the longest lifespan, lowest maintenance costs and the least environmental damage to the canyon during construction. The alignment of the north walkway was amended to continue the existing route between Ackerman, Chittick, Coleman and Sisson dormitories, maintaining direct access to the bridge from the north parking lot. The schematic design process for a concrete bridge was further developed to include handicap accessibility, walkway alignment and environmental restoration. This design was presented to the Reed Campus Community in November 1990. By January 1991, a construction budget had been developed with a general contractor.