Oregon Public Broadcasting

Tuesday's a sneak preview for the next of Portland's iconic bridges. April Baer reports on how the project's progressing, and what it might look like.

Given that it's Portland's first new bridge in more than 30 years, offering much-anticipated service to Southeast residents, TriMet spokeswoman Mary Fetsch says expectations are pretty high.

Mary Fetsch  "We have this opportunity, we have limited dollars, and yet we want to have an attractive bridge. Those are the things we're going to be looking at over the next couple months as we refine the design of the bridge."

Boston architect Miguel Gonsales initially created a so-called wave-frame bridge plan that dazzled much of Portland's design community.

TriMet leaders had some reservations about the cost and brand-spanking-newness of the engineering technology.

Gonsales responded with a hybrid version that incorporates both new and familiar  elements. Tuesday night at City Hall, you'll be able to see that--plus a few other possibilities.

Portland Design Commission members are applying friendly pressure to TriMet, in hopes the agency will approve a show-piece in keeping with the city's  strong reputation for innovative public works. 

Commission member Guenevere Millius, says looking around Portland, it's not hard to see there are bridges, and then there are bridges. Some, she says, like the Marquam Bridge offer an example of what not to do, because it offers functionality and little else.

Guenevere Millius  "But the best ones also do something creative. You look at the St John's bridge, it's a test case for the Golden Gate. And it's a pretty fat-free bridge, there's not a lot going on there that isn't needed."

Millius is among those hoping to show TriMet that there's  a constituency for public projects that offer something enduring and beautiful. She knows the agency is under the gun to show it's spending money wisely.

The presentation will be on display at Portland City Hall, from 6 until 9 Tuesday night.