08 October 2008

Bridge to Somewhere (Milwaukie's Somewhere, Dammit)



My morning included a mini-biathlon, running to the bike shop (Se7en Corners) and biking in to work from there. I almost made my maiden voyage over the Ross Island Bridge (the terror ride of Portland's seven metro bridges) but had sense enough to take my mechanic's suggestion and backtrack north to the Hawthorne Bridge. In so doing I passed an elementary school and was amazed by the abundance of bikes in the playground on a drizzly morning. Turns out there's a reason for this.
Had some time to kill before the shop opened, so ended my moratorium on paying 75-cents for a daily periodical (the Oregonian was less than half that when I moved to Portland seven years ago) and ponied up for some ink stains. What I was treated to were the latest artists renderings for the proposed pedestrian bridge over the Williamette.
You know, to me, the "modest" wave frame girder would be best. Given the current economic climate "showy" design doesn't seem particularly appropriate even if the project started years ago or the designs don't vary that much in expense. I also like that the girder waves invoke the waterway underneath. Hey, that was honest sentiment. No snarkiness or sarcasm. What's happening to me?

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

"Milwaukee"

Ahem.

-GA Peach

Sean P. Hutchinson said...

Not that I'm incapable of making a mistake, but this isn't one of them. It's Milwaukie, OR--they don't know how to spell down there apparently.
And tell mom hi.

Anonymous said...

The Bushie-Man stands,
corrected.

RB

Anonymous said...

Ironically enough, Lot Whitcomb (the founder of Milwaukie) purposely spelled it that way so people would be able to tell it apart from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I'm sure he has been rolling in his grave the past 15 years, as the enormous influx of Oregon imports very often get it wrong.

Also, fun fact: I'm going to be on the advisory committee for the light rail line to Milwaukie (which is why this "pedestrian bridge," which is also a light rail bridge, is being built)!

ha

Sean P. Hutchinson said...

HA-
Which design do you like?

Anonymous said...

Hmmmmm. I think I like the one with the upside-down Vs (with strings coming out of them) most. The others look like a miniature Fremont Bridge (yawn) or like a Coney Island roller coaster (huh?). We don't have any bridges with upside-down Vs here yet, so I'm in favor. Especially if they paint it an interesting color, like the Springwater bridge that serves as the gateway to Milwaukie.

But ultimately if function dictates the form at all, I'll be supporting whatever lends itself to the best ped/bike facilities. : )

It was awesome to see you and D. on Wednesday! I got my pizza, ate it, showed a few more people my tap shoes, and then headed off to class. I think I was only at the party for about 30 minutes total.

ha

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