National Award Winner—Major Span

The Sellwood Bridge over the Willamette River is the first steel-deck arch structure in Portland, Ore. In a city that is known for its bridges, this structure stands out amongst the rest for its elegant, flowing lines and low profile. While beautiful, the bridge is also functional. It is currently the only structure crossing the Willamette River that meets modern seismic requirements.

“The bridge is a great blend of functionality and aesthetics,” said Tony Hunley, PE, PhD, Stantec, a judge in the competition. “The three-span deck arch superstructure creates a signature structure for Portland while also working to provide cross-river access in the event of a natural disaster.”

“Steel provides a great alternative when designing to modern seismic standards due to the savings in weight,” added Dominique Shannon, PE, Kansas Department of Transportation, also a judge in the competition.