{"id":7472,"date":"2025-10-12T14:43:31","date_gmt":"2025-10-12T21:43:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celloexpressions.com\/photography\/?p=7472"},"modified":"2025-10-12T14:43:31","modified_gmt":"2025-10-12T21:43:31","slug":"sherwood-highway-99w-pedestrian-bridge-construction-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celloexpressions.com\/photography\/2025\/10\/sherwood-highway-99w-pedestrian-bridge-construction-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Sherwood Highway 99W Pedestrian Bridge Construction, 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

While the bridge span erection<\/a> was the main event, the final eight months of construction included a wide range of other work leading to the opening of the Sherwood Bicycle and Pedestrian Crossing over Highway 99W this fall. This gallery includes views of the project throughout the year ahead of the September 27 grand opening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The year began with the unfortunate discovery that PGE breached the tree protection fencing and clear cut the area between Hwy 99W and Elwert road over the holiday break without notice to the city, contractor, or project team. Residents will now wait decades for the experience of walking through the trees across this stretch, where the bridge was aligned to preserve the existing 100-ft cottonwoods.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Views are now open from the roundabout across the future spans 4 and 5 to the arch being assembled next to the YMCA.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Foundation plinths are formed up for the east approach ramp between Hwy 99W and the YMCA building.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Subgrades are prepared for the east approach retaining wall foundations, looking across to the bridge alignment.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Reinforcing is installed for bents 1 and 2 in the stormwater pond.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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View across the stormwater pond to bent 2, with the assembled span 5 next to the YMCA in the distance.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Bent construction nears completion as the first bridge span comes into view at the YMCA staging yard.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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View from the west approach across the bridge alignment, now clearly defined by the five bents.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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A solitary pair of mature oak trees remain to buffer the future bridge ramp from the busy highway below.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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A final view from bent 5 across the highway before the first bridge span is installed in March 2025.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Once the first three steel bridge spans are in place, work begins on the bridge decks.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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View of spans 3 through 5 from the Cedar Brook Way stub.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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A first elevated view of the west approach and bent 1 with Sherwood High School beyond.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The view from bridge span 5 south along Highway 99W is dominated by the Sunset\/Elwert intersection that bikes and pedestrians will soon be able to bypass.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Retaining walls are constructed for the east approach now that span 5 is out of the way.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Crews erect the belvedere steel frames between bridge spans with a smaller mobile crane.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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A view across the first three bridge spans from a temporary access stair.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Bent 1 and the first three bridge spans.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Outside span 4 at deck level, a viewpoint that the belvederes will eventually allow.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Oblique view of span 3 at deck height.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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A view down the east approach ramp alignment from the temporary access stair.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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View down spans 3, 4, and 5 at dusk.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The first in-place test of two color-changing light fixtures (of 214 total) on span 3 reveals the success of the architectural lighting design.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Under span 4, a temporary access road facilitates electrical work for the lighting system.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Spans 4 and 5 with freshly cured bridge deck concrete.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The five bridge spans from the Elks Lodge staging yard.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The five bridge spans from the west approach ramp.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Span 4 and its architectural stainless steel compression struts.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Span 4 and its architectural stainless steel tension rods.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Terraced retaining walls are stripped at the east approach, awaiting backfill up to the ramp height.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Steel is erected for the cantilevered east approach landing at the end of span 5, leaving a final gap for the structured ramp to span.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The bridge superstructure gallops above a characteristic traffic backup from the Sunset\/Elwert signal.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The east approach ramp structure is designed to be slender to preserve views out from the YMCA Windows, with a simple elegance to compliment the bridge.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The structured portion of the east approach ramp is supported by three “V” bents composed of 8″ diameter steel pipes.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Metal decking signals the near opening of the east approach ramp to construction traffic, allowing the first end-to-end bridge crossings.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Artist Vicki Scuri designed these custom formliner panels to create the sculptural art wall fronting the east approach.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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A view under span 1 to the east.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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A view under span 5 to the east approach structure taking shape along the highway.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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A look under span 4 to the west.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The east landing is designed as a three-way intersection between the bridge, the ramp down to Sunset Blvd., and a stair down to the north that was removed from the initial budget and is planned for a future project to improve the trail connection.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The east approach ramp lands on a terraced concrete abutment structure, which turns to completed the slope down along Sunset.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The east approach ramp and landing float in the tree canopy above the YMCA.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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A first look from the east landing across the bridge to Sherwood High School.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Looking across the underside of span 1, the projecting belvederes and the plan curve of the bridge line are clear.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The east art wall is inspired by the form of the bridge beyond, as well as the rolling hills of the Willamette Valley.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Orange protective netting begins to come down as railings are installed on the bridge.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Tucked into the terraced east approach walls, a large concrete tank will treat and store stormwater from the bridge, topped with plantings.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The bridge deck cures on span 1 as the sun casts bold shadows from the arches.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The stainless steel picket belvedere railing is installed at bent 4, floating above the landscape.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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A much larger stainless steel belvedere railing is installed on the south side of bent 1, overlooking the stormwater pond.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Curbs and sidewalks are formed and poured on the west approach.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The new terraced slopes of the west approach are prepared for planting as the light pole foundation reinforcing is staged.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Sidewalk view under span 1, across the length of the bridge.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The vertical stainless steel picket railings on the projecting belvederes complement the vertical struts on the underslung arch spans that connect them.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Conduits for lighting are threaded along and through the structure in the slender east landing. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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A look along the bridge west to Sherwood High School as the railings are installed.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The ramp path is brought up to grade, reinforcing the depth of the east approach stormwater facility.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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This oblique view of span 5 greets bridge users as the come up the east ramp along the YMCA.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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View along the tilted truss plane from span 5 to Sherwood High School.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Coils of stainless steel wire mesh are staged at each railing panel for installation.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Custom-machined stainless steel brackets connect the stainless steel tension rods at each intersection.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Topsoil is blown in at the west approach.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Sidewalk installation continues at the west approach ahead of railings.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The stainless steel rods at the top of the railing panels are braced to the truss rod intersections to stiffen the system as the rods are tightened. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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View across the bridge from the west approach as the railing installation progresses.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Railing posts on spans 2 and 4 align with the architectural compression struts between the deck and the underslung arches. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Spans 1 and 2 as railing installation continues.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Under the bent 2 belvedere, a web of conduits is prepared to serve the lighting systems. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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View along the underside of span 3 to spans 1 and 2 and Sherwood high School.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Railing mesh panel installation continues on span 3.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Imported soil begins to soften the east abutment embankment at the YMCA.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Coils of stainless steel cable mesh are laid out for installation on span 5.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The truss web members are arranged at a uniform spacing and angle from the bridge deck on all bridge spans to create a consistent relationship at the railings.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The first truss rod intersection perfectly aligns with the top rod of the railing panels throughout the bridge.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Upper railing cross connections use a similar custom machined stainless steel connector.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Completed cable mesh panel on span 3. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Completed cable mesh panel on span 1 with a view back to the rest of the bridge.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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View outside span 1 across the bridge.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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View from the west approach across the bridge.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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View from the west approach across the bridge.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The west approach sidewalks rise and gently curve over patterned concrete retaining walls above Elwert Rd.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Bridge spans from Elwert Rd. sidewalks.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Bridge spans with railing installation in progress from the roundabout.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The span 2 tension arches float across the stormwater pond without cross bracing.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Span 2 architectural compression struts.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The curved stainless steel picket railing is installed on the cantilevered east landing.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Soil is regraded into natural slopes below the east landing.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Crews prepare to install railings along the east approach ramp.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Railing frames are installed on the YMCA side of the east ramp.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Crews install stainless steel cable mesh panels on span 5.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Completed railing panels on span 2, with the illuminated top rail in place.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The stainless steel tension rods throughout the project are supplied by Macalloy, featuring concealed treads and lock nuts as seen on this loose turnbuckle.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The illuminated mid rail is staged for installation on span 1.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Completed sidewalks on the west approach are ready to receive railings and light poles.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The bridge and west approach.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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View across the west approach sidewalk to the bridge.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Completed framework of truss and railing tension rods on span 5.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Completed railing mesh panels cast shadows onto the bridge deck.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Span 1 casts a distinctive shadow onto the roundabout.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The stainless steel railings on span 5 glisten in the afternoon sun.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Span 2 and the bent 2 belvedere float above the stormwater pond.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Spans 3 through 5 dart through the trees viewed from the Sherwood HS baseball field.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The west approach curves up to the bridge at a steady 4.5% slope.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The west landing area is prepared for its paving in decorative accent concrete.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Span 5 casts a morning shadow onto Highway 99W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Railings near completion across the bridge spans.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Completed railing panels on span 5 over highway 99W looking south.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Views across the stormwater pond to the hills beyond from the bent 1 belvedere.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Construction tools are gathered as the bridge prepares to open to bikes and pedestrians.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The Kruger path curves up to the bridge along the Sherwood HS practice field.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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View of span 1 from the Kruger path.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Railings collect at the bent 2 projecting belvedere.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The belvederes afford views along the exterior bridge structure.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Nearly complete, span 5 bridges Highway 99W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Color changing light fixtures are hidden in plain sight along the span 2 and 4 trusses tucked under the deck.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The span 2 arches curved down behind the bent 2 concrete walls.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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View up to span 2 and belvedere 2 from the stormwater pond.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The belvedere at bent 1 separates the arches of spans 1 and 2.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Span 2 and belvedere at bent 1.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The projecting belvedere at bent 2 bisects the intersection of spans 2 and 3. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Span 2, belvederes 1 and 2, and bents 1 and 2.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Span 5 and the belvedere at bent 4.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Span 4 crosses a regraded area awaiting planting.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Plants are staged for installation at the west abutment in front of Sherwood High School.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The east approach is filled with topsoil in preparation for planting.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The terraced retaining walls transition to a a seat wall at the bridge entry from Highway 99W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Planting soil is prepared between the east approach and the highway.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Plants are laid out along the west approach embankment.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Plant deliveries are staged from local nurseries to be distributed across the project site.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Plant staging and layout on the west approach.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Crews fill the east stormwater facility with its planted cap.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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A final at-grade crossing of Highway 99W as crews put in the finishing touches such as plants.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Crews install plants at the bridge entry on Highway 99W at Sunset Blvd.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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