How Fugro Is Helping Portland Build a Resilient Burnside Bridge
Portland’s iconic Burnside Bridge, nearing its centenary, stands not just as a vital downtown artery crossing the Willamette but as a strategic emergency route for the region.
With the Cascadia Subduction Zone lurking offshore, capable of unleashing catastrophic earthquakes, the imperative to bolster the structure’s resilience has become undeniable.
Fugro stepped into this high‑stakes scenario, delivering cutting‑edge geotechnical testing to shape a foundation design that’s as solid as it is forward‑thinking.
Deep Foundation Testing
This isn’t your run‑of‑the‑mill soil test. In collaboration with Malcolm Drilling Company, Fugro conducted a deep foundation trial: a 3‑metre diameter shaft plunged 40 metres into the ground. Their proprietary O‑Cell® tech simulated earthquake forces with bi‑directional loads of up to 83,000 tons (739 meganewtons), allowing measurement of both side friction and end bearing resistance, critical data for a bridge that must endure seismic stress.
They didn’t stop there. Fugro’s SONICaliper® tool was deployed to inspect the shaft’s geometry, shape, alignment, integrity, so engineers could be confident it will carry structural loads safely and precisely.
“High‑quality Geo‑data is the foundation of resilient infrastructure,” Joyshwin Sumputh, Loadtest Manager at Fugro, emphasised the value of these insights. “By combining advanced testing technologies with close collaboration across project teams, we’ve turned complex geotechnical challenges into actionable insights that will help ensure the Burnside Bridge stands strong when it matters most.”
A Project Under Way
Multnomah County’s Earthquake Ready Burnside Bridge initiative has already passed its test foundation phase, confirming that proposed piers deep down, 125 feet, or around 38 metres, are suitable, and that a 10‑foot diameter is adequate for the job.
Transitioning into the Design Phase since autumn 2023, the project is expected to commence early construction around 2026, with a full build‑out beginning perhaps in 2027, and reach completion by 2031.
Meanwhile, funding streams continue to accumulate: locally, $300 million from vehicle registration fees; federally, a $5 million RAISE Planning Grant; $2 million from Congressional appropriations; $20 million from the state via House Bill 5030; and $10 million from Oregon Metro to enhance transit, pedestrian, cycling, and ADA facilities.
Form, Funding, and Future Use
This bridge isn’t just functional, it’s intentional. The new design will feature two vehicular lanes each way, with one dedicated eastbound bus lane, flanked by 17‑foot wide, barrier‑protected paths for cyclists and pedestrians, the widest such paths among downtown bridges. Such multi‑modal vision aligns with Portland’s climate targets, emphasising efficiency and safety.
Structurally, the replacement will blend familiar and novel elements: a girder west approach, familiar bascule movable span, and an east approach designed as either a tied‑arch or cable‑stay, selected via community consultation and aesthetic evaluation.
Global Focus
Globally, Fugro is recognised as the pre‑eminent Geo‑data specialist, delivering critical insights for infrastructure, energy transition, and climate resilience. Their site characterisation and foundation engineering capabilities don’t just support assets, they safeguard them throughout their lifecycle.
Their role on the Burnside project underscores what makes strong infrastructure: mapping, monitoring, modelling, melding data intelligence with real‑world outcomes. It’s central to keeping a lifeline route open when Portland needs it most.
Building for a Safer Future
Portland’s Burnside Bridge is poised to evolve, not just repaired, but reimagined.
Through rigorous testing, engaged design, and bold engineering, this lifeline will stand ready to carry the city through seismic storms and into a safer, more resilient tomorrow.
