‘Bridge Lady’ makes a book tour

Published 12:00 am Thursday, July 5, 2012

• Fundraising walks help celebrate Steel Bridge’s centennial

Last fall, Sharon Wood Wortman came out of retirement to return to her passion: sharing her knowledge of Portland’s bridges through public bridge walks.

The city’s “Bridge Lady,” as she’s known, dedicated funds from each walk toward the printing of her children’s bridge book, created by and for Portland-area school children.

This summer, the Bridge Lady is back, with another round of public bridge walks scheduled during the summer, and $15,000 left to raise toward her goal of $40,000.

She’s setting out to do that with a Kickstarter campaign that launches this month, as well funds from the six walks, five of which she’ll personally lead.

At 67, Wood Wortman says she’s still up to the task.

“I walk everywhere,” she says. “So far, so good.”

Wood Wortman picked a good month to return.

The Steel Bridge marks its 100th birthday this year, and the third-annual PDX Bridge Festival kicks off July 7 with a block party, free and open to the public.

With eight bands, two stages and 20 vendors, it’s set for 5 p.m. to midnight at The Slate, in the Scion Headquarters, No. 204, 2001 N.W. 19th Ave.

The bridge walks begin July 21, the Steel Bridge’s birthday. The Steel is a special bridge, Wood Wartman says, because of its supreme function in the city. “I just like how it meets so many human needs: railroad, passenger, vehicle, pedestrian, MAX, bicyclists, you name it — it’s a powerhouse.”

The Steel Bridge will also receive a commemorative plaque, donated by the American Society of Civil Engineers in partnership with the city and county. The plaque would include basic facts, like its type: “steel through truss (Pratt), double-deck vertical lift movable bridge”; its engineer and designer: Waddell & Harrington of Kansas City, Mo.; and owner: Union Pacific Railroad.

Facts that may not be on the plaque are its official color: “gun-metal black”; and its cost: The original bridge was $1.7 million; the MAX redesign and bridge rehab between 1984 and 1986 was $10 million; a MAX redesign in 2009 was $6.4 million.

A floating walkway

The walks don’t require registration or advance sign-ups. Wood Wortman also isn’t setting a price, but accepting donations, all of which will go toward completing her fundraising for “The Big & Awesome Bridges of Portland & Vancouver — A Book for Young Readers.”

The hardcover book features full-color photos, pictures, illustrations and fun factoids about the bridges. In the section on the St. Johns Bridge, she offers a little-known “What to look for” tip designed for curious young explorers: “A floating walkway leads to St. Johns’ humongous east side river pier. Hold on to the chain-link railing when a ship or tugboat passes. The bigger the ship, the bigger the wake, so you could get your feet wet. Look for freshwater clam shells along the shoreline during low water.”

Wood Wortman’s goal is to give 4,000 free books to Portland Public Schools and Vancouver School District. Bridges have been taught as part of Portland Public Schools’ third-grade social studies curriculum, but there has never been a bona fide book just for them.

New guide takes over walks

The July 21 walk, on the Steel Bridge’s birthday, will be led by Nathan Hoover, a 31-year-old Florida transplant who took Wood Wortman’s place upon her retirement two years ago to lead Portland Parks & Recreation-sponsored bridge walks for local school children.

“When I moved here I was fascinated with Portland history,” he says. “I think we have a unique sense of place. People are willing to celebrate a bridge’s birthday, and everyone has a favorite bridge.”

Hoover has also led tours for the the last four annual Portland Riverfests and the last two PDX Bridge Festivals.

On a drizzly day in December 2010, he led the “Happy Birthday, Hawthorne” walk to celebrate the Hawthorne Bridge’s centennial.

Just a dozen brave souls turned out, but he’s expecting a much bigger turnout this time.

In an untimely event, the parks bureau just cut its outdoor recreation programs, which have sponsored the city’s bridge walks since 1991. Hoover will continue to lead the walks this fall, but doesn’t have the sponsorship or publicity from the parks bureau. His website is www.willamettebridgewalk.com.

This summer’s fundraising bridge walks are open to anyone, with a suggested donation of $20. Families are welcome.

Here is the walk schedule:

• Saturday, July 21, 9 a.m. to noon — Led by Nathan Hoover, across the Steel Bridge and other downtown bridges, including a visit to the Morrison Bridge to meet the operator and tour the bascule pit. Begins at Floyd’s Coffee, 118 NW Couch St.

• Saturday, August 11, 9 a.m. to noon — Led by Sharon Wood Wortman and her husband, bridge engineer Ed Wortman, across the Steel Bridge and other downtown bridges, including a visit to the Morrison Bridge to meet the operator and tour the bascule pit. Begins at Floyd’s Coffee, 118 NW Couch St.

• Friday, July 13, and Saturday, July 14 — 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., Led by Sharon Wood Wortman, the hour-long walks will cross the Steel Bridge as part of the Union Pacific Railroad’s two-day 150th birthday celebration at Portland Union Train Station. Walks begin and end at the train station.

For more information, check the website, www.pdxbridgefestival.org.