In a total distance of only 2.4 miles, seven bridges cross the Willamette River in downtown Portland. Needless to say, these bridges are an iconic feature of Portland's unique city landscape. Thousands of Portlanders cross these bridges every day during their commute, by every imaginable form of transportation. The freeway connections between the Fremont Bridge in the north to the Marquam Bridge in the south create a loop of highway that allows a driver to completely circumnavigate the entirety of downtown in under 10 minutes. References to bridges can be seen all over the city, from the names of restaurants and shops to the logos of local businesses. More than any other architectural feature, bridges define the heart of the city of Portland.
