TriMet News

Fleet Week bridge lifts will disrupt TriMet service

Written by

Mark Miller

in

Some bus lines, all MAX lines will be affected June 3-4 and June 9 as Willamette River bridges are raised

Image of a TriMet bus crossing the Steel Bridge, with the Broadway Bridge in the background and the Fremont Bridge behind it. A flock of geese are gathered on the Willamette River below the bridges.

TriMet and our partners at the Portland Rose Festival salute and welcome ships and their crews from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard and Royal Canadian Navy to the waterfront this week!

Some of the ships that are arriving for Fleet Week are tall enough to require Willamette River bridge lifts so they can reach their berths. As the ships approach Tom McCall Waterfront Park in Downtown Portland, the Broadway, Steel and Burnside bridges will be raised to clear the way.

Arrivals

We expect ships to begin arriving in the afternoon on both Tuesday, June 3, and Wednesday, June 4. Riders should plan extra time for trips on both days. MAX and some bus lines will experience delays during bridge lifts.

Bridge lifts are expected to take place from approximately:

  • 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, with two ships scheduled to arrive. The Broadway and Steel bridges will lift.
  • 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, with five ships scheduled to arrive. The Broadway, Steel and Burnside bridges will lift.

Arrival times are tentative and may change. Riders should plan for delays even after bridge lifts have concluded for the day, as we work to return MAX trains and buses to regular schedules.

All MAX lines will be disrupted while the Steel Bridge is lifted. Shuttle buses will run in place of trains, using other river crossings. Bus lines that typically cross the Broadway, Steel and Burnside bridges will also use other river crossings during bridge lifts. The Broadway Bridge lift will affect Portland Streetcar service as well.

Ship tours will be available on the waterfront from June 5-8, as Portland celebrates Fleet Week! Find more information at rosefestival.org.

Departures

The ships will return back up the Willamette River on Monday, June 9, to resume their regular duties. Riders should expect delays on Monday morning and plan for extra time.

Departures are expected to take place approximately from 7 to 11 a.m. Monday. As ships depart, they will again require bridge lifts. These lifts are likely to disrupt TriMet service during peak morning commute time.

We appreciate riders’ patience as we welcome Fleet Week ships this week. Find the latest service information at trimet.org/alerts. You can also sign up to receive alerts directly to your phone or inbox at trimet.org/email.

This is the last full week of festivities for the 2025 Rose Festival! TriMet is the best way to enjoy CityFair on the waterfront, as well as colorful events like the Grand Floral Parade, which returns to Downtown Portland on Saturday, June 7, and the Dragon Boat Race. Plan your trip now at trimet.org!

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