Skip to main content
Two elevators that allow cyclists and people with mobility challenges to use the pedestrian bridge over train tracks in Southeast Portland are both out of service.
A Portland Bureau of Transportation spokesman says the north and south elevators that people ride to reach Bob Stacey Crossing, which allows pedestrians and bicyclists to traverse both Union Pacific train and MAX light rail tracks are down due to vandalism.
The elevators are important for people who have mobility issues and cannot climb the stairs to reach the crossing. Because both elevators are down, affected individuals must walk 13 blocks when a train is present and six blocks when no train is running.
The north elevator has been down for six weeks. A lag in securing the right glass panel delayed the typical repair timeline by weeks, bureau spokesman Dylan Rivera says, but the bureau expects the repair to happen as early as next week.
As for the south elevator, Rivera says someone smashed one of the glass doors March 23. He did not provide a repair timeline.
“We receive reports from security roughly two to three times each week regarding someone attempting to occupy the elevator for reasons other than gaining access to cross the bridge,” Rivera says. “We are looking into installing cameras and other security hardening measures. But with limited funds for transportation, we have to look carefully at any spending.”
