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Morrison BridgeThe Morrison Bridge is a double leaf "Chicago style" bascule bridge that spans the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon. The original Morrison bridge was a wooden truss swing span bridge completed on April 12, 1887 as the first Willamette River bridge in Portland and the longest bridge west of the Mississippi River. It was first a toll bridge (rates: horse drawn rig - US$0.15, team of horses - $0.20, pedestrian - $0.05) but went toll free in 1895. The second Morrison was another swing bridge that was built in 1905. It was not designed for automobiles and the 1958 replacement was long overdue. The present bridge was built by Multnomah County. It was completed on May 24, 1958 at a cost of $12.9 million. In 1961, Interstate 5 and Interstate 84 ramps were added. The steel grating on the bascule deck is scheduled for replacement sometime in the near future. Access for bicycles and pedestrians will be improved in a $1.75 million project scheduled for 2005. Multnomah County estimates a major seismic upgrade around 2020. The total length of the bridge is 760 ft with a 284 ft draw span. The bridge is one of the largest mechanical structures in Oregon. 36 ft. tall gears drive 940 ton counterweights located inside each of the piers. The 69 ft. clearance limits openings to about 30 times a month. It currently carries 50,000 vehicles daily on six lanes. The canted windows of the control tower give the distinctive look of air traffic control towers. It is named after John L. Morrison, a Scottish immigrant who built the first home on Morrison street. The current bridge does not connect to Morrison Street because the second bridge was left in operation while the latest version was built. External links Books Wood, Sharon: The Portland Bridge Book, Portland, Oregon Historical Society, 2001. ISBN 0875952119.
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