UP to upgrade Portland bridge electrical system

Union Pacific Railroad is replacing the electrical system of Portland's Steel Bridge in Oregon, the Class I announced yesterday. The railroad will keep the lift portion of the bridge in the down position Jan. 9-18 for maintenance work as part of the project. The company worked with the U.S. Coast Guard and other Willamette River stakeholders to plan the 10-day closure that will impact river traffic only. UP is replacing the electrical system to improve lift bridge redundancies and simplify electrical system access for bridge maintenance staff, according to a UP press release. UP owns the bridge, which was built in 1912 and originally carried railroad traffic on the lower deck, with pedestrian, wagons and buggies on the upper deck.