Caruthers Bridge - Route and Function

Route and Function

The bridge will carry the MAX Orange Line and other mass transit vehicles across the Willamette River south of the Marquam Bridge just north of southeast Caruthers Street. It will connect a planned MAX station at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) on the east side of the river with a new OHSU/South Waterfront Campus MAX station on the west side. OHSU is the city's largest employer, while OMSI is one of the city's largest tourist and educational venues, and the new bridge will facilitate the connection of both to the regional MAX light rail system. The Orange Line will continue south from OMSI to northern Oak Grove and north from South Waterfront into downtown Portland.

Although the planned MAX Orange Line was the impetus for construction of the bridge, the structure will also carry TriMet buses, the Portland Streetcar (planned) and emergency vehicles, and be open for public use by bicyclists and pedestrians. Use by private motor vehicles (except emergency vehicles) will not be permitted. Rerouting of TriMet bus routes onto the new bridge from more-congested crossings will shorten the travel time for about 14,000 daily bus riders. Bike and pedestrian paths will be placed on both sides of the bridge and be 14 feet (4.3 m) wide. Planned extension of the Portland Streetcar line across the bridge has not yet been funded or approved, and city officials hope to open that extension in 2015.