Spanning a Century: Burnside Bridge Celebrates 100 Years

Centennial Event Honors Portland Landmark

Photos courtesy of Multnomah County

On Saturday, May 30, 2026, Multnomah County hosted a once in a lifetime celebration for the 100th birthday of the Burnside Bridge. The family friendly Burnside Bridge Centennial Celebration featured kid focused activities, interactive exhibits and storytelling highlighting key moments, from the bridge's opening in 1926 to the Earthquake Ready Burnside Bridge Project.

There were no cars or trucks passing over the bridge as on a typical day. Instead, thousands of Portlanders were dancing, crafting, learning and building community to celebrate and honor the history of the Burnside Bridge as it turned 100 years old.

During the celebration, a dedicated section of the bridge invited people to share their Burnside Bridge stories. Attendees could record a short story on camera, write a birthday card message or leave a birthday voicemail, a love letter of sorts to a crossing that holds immense meaning for the community.

Multnomah County maintains five Willamette River bridges: the Sellwood, Hawthorne, Morrison, Burnside and Broadway bridges, as well as the Wapato Bridge over the Multnomah Channel.