The City of Troutdale is considering building a pedestrian bridge over SW 257th Avenue near downtown Troutdale. This project aims to improve safe pedestrian and bicycle connections, linking residents and visitors of all ages to destinations and amenities on both the east and west sides of SW 257th Avenue.
There are over 450 residential units within ¼ mile of the project study area. 257th Avenue has high traffic volume due to its connection to I-84, is a designated freight route, and is dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists to cross.
The idea of a pedestrian bridge at this location emerged from the City’s Town Center Plan and complements the Halsey Street Linear Streetscape plan, which aims to create a safer, more accessible street for all modes of transportation. A pedestrian bridge in this vicinity will create a safe, direct connection between Halsey Street and downtown, eliminating the need to cross the five lanes of traffic at SW 257th Avenue and E. Historic Columbia River Highway.
This project will develop bridge concepts, including active transportation connections to the bridge landings.
As more businesses, housing, and jobs have come to Troutdale, the community has seen an increase in traffic that makes it more difficult and uncomfortable for everyone to get around. Safe and comfortable pedestrian crossings along SW 257th Avenue are limited, which makes it harder to reach local destinations such as schools, job centers, and housing.
The city is conducting this project to:
- Improve access to destinations on both sides of SW 257th Avenue for people walking, rolling, and biking – Edgefield, food carts, local downtown events and businesses, Sharon Nesbit Heritage Park, and Glenn Otto Park.
- Increase safety for people crossing SW 257th Avenue, identified as a high accident corridor with high traffic counts and significant grade issues.
- Plan for connecting existing and future development along the Halsey Street and SW 257th Avenue corridors, to our downtown and trail system, to create a cohesive traveling experience for people walking, rolling, and biking.
The 2nd Street Bridge project will result in a detailed analysis of a preferred bridge concept to prepare the city to apply for funding to design and construct the bridge.
The project will have two engagement milestones in the summer and fall, designed to understand what is most important to community members – residents, business and property owners, and visitors – and use those preferences to help determine the preferred bridge concept. Your feedback will be important in helping us understand what issues this project should solve.
Winter and Spring 2026 – Develop Evaluation Criteria
Spring and Summer 2026 – Draft Bridge Concepts and Community Engagement
Fall 2026 – Refine Bridge Concepts and Community Engagement
Winter 2027 – Final Concept Analysis
You will be able to share your thoughts with us at two engagement milestones, both online and in-person. Your voice is important and will play a key role in how this bridge serves our community.
The city convened a Community Advisory Committee (CAC) representing Troutdale residents, business owners, and partner agencies such as the Reynolds School District and the Multnomah County Transportation Department, to represent a range of interests and expertise to help shape the direction of this planning process. The CAC will meet three times throughout the planning process, and meeting agendas, online meeting links, and materials will be posted below, along with other relevant project information.
You can also reach the project team and sign up for project updates by emailing comdev [at] troutdaleoreogn.gov (comdev[at]troutdaleoreogn[dot]gov)