This cache replaces one I had nearby. Tilikum Crossing, Bridge of the People is the newest bridge crossing the Willamette River in Portland. It opened in September of 2015. Why is this a Reappearing RR Smiles Cache you may ask? It is a unique transit and pedestrian-only bridge, no cars and trucks are allowed. The MAX Orange line to Milwaukie and the Portland Streetcar Loop A & B share the tracks on the bridge. TriMet Busses also cross the river here. Finally, there are the wide pedestrian and bicycle friendly paths.
The Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge with a total span of 1720 feet, with a span between the towers of 780 Feet. The towers are 180 feet tall, and the vertical clearance for river traffic is 77.5 feet. The estimated cost for the bridge is $134Million. The name was selected via a contest TriMet held in 2013. Tilikum is apparently a Chinook Indian word for people, tribe or family.
The bridge links the rapidly developing South Waterfront District on the west side with a light industrial area on the east side near OMSI and the new Rail Heritage Center Museum.
The cache a current Dead-End street with a great view of the bridge. Please enjoy the view and smile, I know I do when I think about rail transit expansion.