About Burnside Bridge: Past, Present, and Future
Travel through the history of the Burnside Bridge from its original construction in 1894 to its second construction in 1926 and beyond via the colorful and in-depth storytelling of historian, educator and memoirist Sharon Wood Wortman. Sharon will present rare photos of the original construction and the opening days of each version of the bridge - plus, get a sneak peek at the upcoming new and improved Burnside Bridge. Unlike the rest of the original bridges on the main channel of the lower Willamette River, the modern Burnside Bridge will be designed to withstand the forthcoming subduction zone earthquake. Sharon will also read an excerpt from The Rockier Path, her hybrid memoir and work-in-progress.
Sharon Wood Wortman is the author of The Portland Bridge Book, the first book on the subject, published by OHS Press in 1989. She had previously published a 20,000-word series for The Oregonian about Portland's bridges in 1984 -100 years after the opening of the first Burnside Bridge. In 1993, Sharon published an article for the 20th anniversary of the Fremont Bridge, at which time she interviewed Fremont's field engineer Ed Wortman. She has led bridge tours for thousands of people of all ages, earning her the nickname "The Portland Bridge Lady." Retired bridge engineer Ed Wortman will join Sharon, lending his technical knowledge. Sharon and Ed are both volunteer members of Multnomah County's Community Design Advisory Group for an Earthquake Ready Burnside.
