Portland Aerial Tram to close for Memorial Day weekend

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The Portland Aerial Tram, which takes commuters back and forth from the South Waterfront to Marquam Hill, will be closed for Memorial Day weekend starting Friday, according to the Portland Bureau of Transportation.

Beginning at 7 p.m., the closure will allow for crews to replace the tram’s carriage, which officials say must be rebuilt and tested every six years. They add this time of year is “when the tram experiences lower than normal use and also closes for the national holiday.”

During part of the closure, PBOT says that shuttle service will be offered Friday from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Riders can catch a shuttle at the Whitaker Lot on the South Waterfront and OHSU Kohler Pavilion turnaround on Marquam Hill.

According to PBOT, the pedestrian bridge through the OHSU Kohler Pavilion garage will still be open for access into the main hospital buildings from OHSU Casey Eye Institute and the lower Campus Drive. However, the upper tram platform and tram elevator will be closed for safety purposes.

The tram will officially reopen at 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 27.