informational alert
Portland and the federal government

Learn about our sanctuary city status, efforts to block federal overreach: Portland.gov/Federal

NE 42nd Avenue Bridge Replacement (over Lombard Street)

Label: Transportation
Label: Engineering and design
The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is constructing a new earthquake-ready bridge to provide better access for freight, pedestrians, and people biking. Bridge will fill the gap between the Holman Neighborhood Greenway and the NE 47th Avenue protected bikeway.
Construction will last approximately two years (2026 and 2027)

What’s happening now and what to expect in the next two years?

May 2026 Update:

Following a successful first weekend closure of Lombard Street in early May, the contractor completed removal of the existing striping beneath the 42nd Avenue Bridge and installed the new lane configuration striping. See photo below.

Following the weekend closure, NE Lombard Street has reopened with a reduced configuration of one lane in each direction (see cross section and layout below for reference).

With the new lane configuration in place, the contractor can begin work beneath the bridge between Lombard Street and the UPRR railroad. Work this month will include guardrail removal, tree clearing, construction of geowall and preparations for the upcoming bridge demolition.

The bridge demolition will take place during a weekend closure of Lombard Street, currently anticipated for mid-June. PBOT will confirm and share the exact closure date as it approaches.

PBOT will continue to update the project website and issue traffic advisories in advance of each scheduled weekend closure.

Please stay tuned for future updates.

 

Rendering of the replacement bridge on NE 42nd Avenue, pictured here in a cross-section over Lombard Street and the railroad.

Background

The current bridge over NE Lombard Street is on a recommended Emergency Transportation Route but is vulnerable to earthquakes. Freight uses the bridge as a connection between NE Lombard Street and Columbia Boulevard, but the current bridge's height and weight restrictions limit freight transportation. In addition, the current bridge does not have enough room for pedestrians and people biking. This new connection would fill the gap between the Holman Neighborhood Greenway and the protected bikeway on NE 47th Avenue. When it's complete, the bridge will provide better access for freight, pedestrians, and people biking. 

The new bridge approaching from the north: a 6-foot wide buffered bike lane to the left, a 13-foot wide traffic lane in each direction, and a 10-foot wide multiuse path to the right.

The new bridge will have a cross-section of 7-foot wide elevated bike lane on the left, 13-foot wide traffic lane in both directions, and a 10-foot wide multiuse path on the right side of the bridge.

 

The new bridge approaching from the south: a 7-foot wide bike lane to the left, with a 3-foot buffer, a 13-foot wide traffic lane in each direction, and a 12-foot wide multiuse path to the right.

 

Overhead view of NE 42nd Avenue Bridge over Lombard Street and freight traffic.

Funding

$25 million

The project has several funding sources:

  • Build Portland
  • HB 2017
  • SDC
  • HVUT
  • General Funds
  • ODOT
  • Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF)
     

Sign up for email updates

Sign up for email updates on the NE 42nd Avenue Bridge project

Map

NE 42nd Avenue Bridge Replacement
Back to top