The Portland Aerial Tram will close for scheduled maintenance from 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 23, reopening at 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 28. The work is scheduled for the Memorial Day holiday weekend, when the tram experiences lower than normal use and also closes for the national holiday.
The closure will allow crews to shorten the tram’s haul rope, which is used to propel the tram cabins from one station to the other. The haul rope stretches over time and must be shortened every 18 months and replaced every six years.
During this time, shuttle service will be offered. Go By Bike services will temporarily move to Zidell Yards May 20-28.
For safety reasons, the upper tram platform and tram elevator will also be closed during the work. The pedestrian bridge through the OHSU Kohler Pavilion garage will remain open for access into the main hospital buildings from OHSU Casey Eye Institute and lower Campus Drive.
SHUTTLE HOURS
You can catch a tram shuttle at the Whitaker Lot on the South Waterfront and OHSU Kohler Pavilion turnaround on Marquam Hill. See a map of the shuttle route.
The shuttle hours will be:
- Thursday, May 23: 7:00 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
- Friday, May 24: 5:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.
- Saturday, May 25: 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
- Sunday, May 26: No service
- Monday, May 27: No service, normal holiday closure
Fare will not be required to board the shuttles. Even though shuttles will be available during the Tram’s normal hours, with more running during peak times (7-9 a.m. and 4-6 p.m.), please plan to add as much as 30 minutes to your time in transit and expect to wait 10-15 minutes at each stop.
Shuttles are ADA accessible. However, anyone needing ADA access and transport should speak to an attendant to coordinate assistance.
ALTERNATIVE ROUTES
Alternative routes between Marquam Hill and the South Waterfront are available on gobytram.com.
GO BY BIKE OPERATIONS
Go By Bike will be temporarily relocated just north of the base of the Tram, at Zidell Yards, starting Monday, May 20 through Tuesday, May 28, to facilitate the required Tram maintenance. Go By Bike will be closed Monday, May 27, in observation of Memorial Day. Normal Go By Bike operations will resume on Wednesday, May 29 at the base of the Tram. Should you have any questions, or need to discuss alternate accommodations, please reach out to commute@ohsu.edu.
Source: City of Portland