The Portland Aerial Tram will close for scheduled maintenance from 7 p.m. on Friday, May 23, reopening at 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 27. 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 replace the carriage, the wheeled mechanism that supports and propels the tram cabins on the ropes between the two terminals. Each of the tram carriages must be rebuilt and nondestructive tested every six years.
During this time, shuttle service will be offered. Go By Bike services will temporarily move to Zidell Yards May 23.
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:
- Friday, May 23: 7:00 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
- Saturday, May 24: 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
- Sunday, May 25: No service
- Monday, May 26: 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, 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.
Source: Portland Bureau of Transportation