So, the Marquam and Fremont bridges ban pedestrians as they are federal highways (freeways). I’ve walked part of the Marquam during a protest, but never set foot on the Fremont. Otherwise I’ve walked across all the rest, a few on a daily basis for years.
Once you’ve crossed the river several times, check out the Vista Avenue Viaduct…especially on a misty or foggy night. Yes, it is also known as the “suicide bridge,” (though the Steel Bridge is now more likely to be associated with that title ever since a young heroin-addicted couple hung themselves from it in 1998), but morbid curiosity aside, the Vista is a lonely and beautiful haunt.
Walking the waterfront, the bridges, and the neighborhoods they connect, helps make PDX a part of you. The varied histories, technologies, records, and ages of the bridges themselves are rewarding to learn more about as well.
For that you might check out Sharon Wood’s book as well as Samuel Klein’s website.
