View source for Portland Aerial Tram

{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Short description|Aerial tramway in Oregon, US}}
{{Infobox aerial lift line
| name            = Portland Aerial Tram
| native_name     = OHSU Tram
| image           = PortlandTramCar3.jpg
| image_alt       = 
| caption         = The Portland Aerial Tram car nearing the upper station
| character       = Commuter
| status          = Operational
| location        = [[Portland, Oregon]]
| country         = [[United States]]
| start           = South Waterfront neighborhood
| end             = OHSU Hospital
| no_stations     = 2
| ridership       = 10,000 per weekday.<ref name="TEN">{{cite web |title=Tram Turns Ten |publisher=Portland Bureau of Transportation |url=http://www.gobytram.com/ten/ |access-date=April 26, 2018 |archive-date=April 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180410075512/http://www.gobytram.com/ten/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| open            = {{Start date|2006|12|15}}
| close           = 
| owner           = City of Portland Government
| operator        = OHSU
| lift_type       = ATW
| line_color      = #CCCCFF
| manufactured_by = Doppelmayr
| routenumber     = 
| linenumber      = 
| speed           = {{convert|22|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}
| elevation_m     = 
| elevation_ft    = 
| elevation       = 
| map             = {{maplink-road|from=Portland Aerial Tram.map}}
| map_state       = collapsed
| website         = {{URL|http://www.gobytram.com/|gobytram.com}}
|no_carriers=2
}}
The '''Portland Aerial Tram''' or '''OHSU Tram''' is an [[aerial tramway]] in [[Portland, Oregon]], that connects the city's [[South Waterfront]] district and the main [[Oregon Health & Science University]] (OHSU) campus, located in the [[Homestead, Portland, Oregon|Marquam Hill neighborhood]]. It is one of only two commuter aerial tramways in the United States, the other being New York City's [[Roosevelt Island Tramway]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Portland's commuter tram offers postcard views of Mount St. Helens, Mount Hood |url=http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/03/05/america/NA-FEA-GEN-US-View-From-a-Tram.php |newspaper=[[International Herald Tribune]] Americas |date=March 4, 2007 |access-date=March 10, 2007 |archive-date=March 18, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070318021817/http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/03/05/america/NA-FEA-GEN-US-View-From-a-Tram.php |url-status=live }}</ref>  The tram travels a horizontal distance of {{convert|3300|ft|m}} and a vertical distance of {{convert|500|ft|m|0}} in a ride that lasts three minutes.<ref name="PAT">{{cite web |title=The Portland Aerial Tram |publisher=Portland Office of Transportation |url=http://www.portlandonline.com/transportation/index.cfm?c=41095 |access-date=November 15, 2006 |archive-date=November 18, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061118055833/http://www.portlandonline.com/transportation/index.cfm?c=41095 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The tram was jointly funded by OHSU, the [[Government of Portland, Oregon|City of Portland]], and by South Waterfront property owners, with most of the funding coming from OHSU. It is owned by the city and operated by OHSU. While most passengers are affiliated with OHSU, it is open to the public and operated as part of [[Transportation in Portland, Oregon|Portland's public transportation network]] that includes the [[Portland Streetcar]], [[MAX Light Rail]], and [[TriMet]] buses. After opening in December 2006, the tram carried its one millionth passenger on October 17, 2007<ref name="onemillion"/> and its ten millionth rider on January 8, 2014.<ref name="tenmill"/> A round-trip ticket costs $8 but is free for OHSU patients and certain visitors; OHSU employees and students ride free by showing their ID badges.<ref name="fares">{{cite web |title=Portland Aerial Tram |url=http://www.ohsu.edu/xd/about/services/transportation-and-parking/tram/ |publisher=Oregon Health & Science University |access-date=October 19, 2017}}</ref>

The tram cost [[U.S. dollar|$]]57 million to build—a nearly fourfold increase over initial cost estimates, which was one of several sources of controversy concerning the project.<ref name="4bucks">{{cite news | title = Tram ride will now set you back $4 | url = http://www.katu.com/news/5138496.html | date = January 9, 2007 | publisher = [[KATU]] | author = Brian Barker | access-date = October 23, 2007 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071010053234/http://www.katu.com/news/5138496.html | archive-date = October 10, 2007 }}</ref>

==Description==

===Route===
[[File:Portland aerial tram roads and route.png|thumb|300px|{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-1-of-2}}
'''Route'''
{{legend|#00FF00|Tram route}}
{{legend|#FF00FF|Driving route (down)}}
{{legend|#00FFFF|Driving route (up)}}
{{legend|#F8FB1F|Interstate freeway}}
{{legend|#6E360E|OHSU campus}}
{{legend|#FF0000|Traffic signal}}
{{Col-2-of-2}}
'''Elevation'''
{{legend|#CCFF99|{{convert|700|ft|m}}}}
{{legend|#336633|{{convert|500|ft|m}} to 700 ft}}
{{legend|#0E4505|{{convert|300|ft|m|-1}} to 500 ft}}
{{legend|#003333|{{convert|200|ft|m|-1}} to 300 ft}}
{{legend|#082403|{{convert|100|ft|m}} to 200 ft}}
{{legend|#333333|0 to 100 ft}}
{{col-end}}
Tram's route goes over three major highways, an interstate, and several neighborhoods. Westbound driving route is cyan where it differs from the eastbound route.]]
The tram consists of two stations and a single intermediate tower. Two tram cars operate in a pendular mode on parallel track ropes and are pulled in unison by a haul rope which is driven by an engine at the lower terminal; when one car is at the upper terminal, the other is at the lower terminal, and vice versa.<ref name="structure">{{cite journal
 | journal=Structure Magazine
 | title=Portland Aerial Transportation, Inc
 | date=March 2007
 | pages=34–36
 | url=http://www.structuremag.org/Archives/2007-3/F-Portland%20Aerial%20Tram.pdf
 | access-date=November 13, 2008
 | author1=Murat Melek
 | author2=Edwin Shlemon
 | author3=Atila Zekioglu
 | author4=Steve Carter
 | url-status=dead
 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719102834/http://www.structuremag.org/Archives/2007-3/F-Portland%20Aerial%20Tram.pdf
 | archive-date=July 19, 2011
 }}</ref>  The lower station is located beside an OHSU facility in the [[South Portland, Portland, Oregon|South Waterfront]] neighborhood, adjacent to a stop on the Portland Streetcar line, which connects the South Waterfront neighborhood with downtown Portland.
The upper station is located adjacent to OHSU Hospital, on the university's Marquam Hill campus. The two stations are exactly east and west of each other separated by a horizontal distance of {{convert|3,300|ft|mi km|frac=8}} and a vertical distance of {{convert|500|ft|m|1}}. The maximum vertical clearance between the tram and the ground is {{convert|175|ft|m|1}}.<ref name="arup">{{cite web | work=Arup engineering website | title=Portland aerial tram | url=http://www.arup.com/Projects/Portland_Aerial_Tram.aspx | access-date=November 30, 2009 | archive-date=November 13, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091113225710/http://www.arup.com/Projects/Portland_Aerial_Tram.aspx | url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:OHSU Tram.jpg|thumb|left|The Portland Aerial Tram as seen from Marquam Hill]]
The tram route crosses over [[Interstate 5 (Oregon)|Interstate 5]] as well as major thoroughfares such as Barbur Boulevard, [[Oregon Route 10]] ([[Naito Parkway]]), and [[Oregon Route 43]] (Macadam Avenue). The intermediate tower is located east of [[Interstate 5 (Oregon)|Interstate 5]] close to the South Waterfront station. As a result of this configuration, much of the journey is significantly elevated above the ground, making the tram easily visible for some distance, and providing tram riders with good views of the eastern metropolitan area and the [[Cascade Mountains]] of Oregon and Washington. The alternative to riding the tram is via public roadways which require a {{convert|1.9|mi|km|adj=on}} route with numerous stoplights and intersections.<ref>{{cite web
 | url=http://portlandtransport.com/archives/2006/12/tram_visit_anec.html
 | work=portlandtransport.com
 | title=Tram visit anecdotes and other observations
 | first=Bob
 | last=Richardson
 | date=December 20, 2006
| access-date=October 22, 2007
 | archive-date=October 30, 2007
 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071030064722/http://portlandtransport.com/archives/2006/12/tram_visit_anec.html
 | url-status=live
 }}</ref>  This route includes a short stretch of busy [[U.S. Route 26 (Oregon)|U.S. Route 26]], as well as twisty Sam Jackson Park Road which ascends the side of the [[Tualatin Mountains]] to the hospital campus.

===Structures and cabling===
[[File:Lower terminal at Portland Aerial Tram.jpg|thumb|The terminal at South Waterfront]]
The lower (South Waterfront) station houses the tram's engines in a reinforced concrete basement<ref name="structure"/> and also has ticketing facilities and the control room.<ref>{{cite web
 | url=http://www.aia.org/aiarchitect/thisweek07/0713/0713d_tram.cfm
 | title=An unusual solution for urban transportation
 | author=Heather Livingston
 | publisher=American Institute of Architects
 | work=AIArchitect Projects of Note
 | date=July 13, 2007
| access-date=October 22, 2007
 | archive-date=July 15, 2007
 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070715125234/http://www.aia.org/aiarchitect/thisweek07/0713/0713d_tram.cfm
 | url-status=live
 }}</ref>

The upper station is a freestanding steel and concrete tower {{convert|140|ft|m|1}} above grade and houses the tram's counterweight.  It is structurally separate from nearby [[OHSU Hospital]] and connects to the hospital's ninth floor via a [[skyway|skybridge]] over SW Campus Drive, which winds through the middle of the University. Structural separation between the tram and the hospital is necessary to avoid vibrations from tram machinery interfering with delicate [[microsurgery]] performed in the hospital.<ref name="archrec">{{cite journal
 | journal=Architectural Record
 | title=Portland Aerial Tram
 | url=http://archrecord.construction.com/projects/portfolio/archives/0708portland.asp
 | date=August 2007
 | access-date=October 22, 2007
 | archive-date=October 12, 2007
 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012120101/http://archrecord.construction.com/projects/portfolio/archives/0708portland.asp
 | url-status=live
 }}</ref>

The {{convert|197|ft|m|adj=on}} intermediate tower allows the tram to gain elevation quickly once leaving the lower station to provide adequate clearance over Interstate 5. The tower is {{convert|22|ft|m|1}} wide and {{convert|20|ft|m|1}} long at its base, {{convert|8 by 8|ft|m|1}} at its narrowest point—nearly two-thirds up the tower—and {{convert|32 by 8|ft|m|1}} at the top. It rests on a pier cap {{convert|5|ft|m|2}} thick supported by 35 piers.<ref name="structure"/>  The tower was fabricated in nearby [[Vancouver, Washington]], and barged in three pieces up the [[Willamette River]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ohsu.edu/tramupdate/ |title=Portland Aerial Tram Updates |publisher=OHSU |access-date=October 22, 2007 }} {{dead link|date=February 2017 |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>

Nearly {{convert|1,250|ST|LT t|abbr=off|sp=us|lk=on}} of [[steel]] and {{convert|450|ST|LT t|lk=out}} of [[concrete]] are in the two platforms and the intermediate tower; the lateral loads on the upper platform range from <!-- 500,000 to 800,000 pounds (400 short tons)(2.2 million to 3.6 million [[newtons]]) of force makes no sense -->{{convert|500,000 to 800,000|lbf|N|abbr=off|lk=on}} or {{convert|250 to 400|STf|N|abbr=off|lk=on}}.<ref name="structure"/>

Each tram car travels on a pair of {{convert|2|in|mm|adj=on}} <!-- {{convert|49|mm|in|2|adj=on}} --> steel track ropes, totaling four cables. The track ropes combined are tensioned at over {{convert|1,000,000|lbf|N|spell=in}}. A fifth cable—the haul rope—is a continuous loop which winds around the drive [[bullwheel]] at the lower station, connects to one car, winds through a [[counterweight]]ed [[bullwheel]] at the upper station, then to the other car, before joining itself.<ref>{{cite web
 | url=http://www.portlandonline.com/shared/cfm/image.cfm?id=131796
 | title=Portland Aerial Tram Rope Pulling Fact Sheet
 | publisher=City of Portland
 | access-date=October 22, 2007
 | archive-date=June 9, 2011
 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609051922/http://www.portlandonline.com/shared/cfm/image.cfm?id=131796
 | url-status=live
 }}</ref>  The haul rope length is over {{convert|7000|ft|m|0}}.<ref name="nicetram">{{cite news
  | first= William |last=Yardley
  | date = January 29, 2007
| url = https://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/29/us/29tram.html
  | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130626022533/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/29/us/29tram.html | archive-date= June 26, 2013
  | title = City That Loves Mass Transit Looks to the Sky for More
  | newspaper = [[The New York Times]]
  | access-date = February 17, 2014
}}</ref>

===Cars===
[[Image:PortlandTramInterior.jpg|thumb|upright|The Portland Aerial Tram's interior]]
The tram cars each weigh approximately {{convert|12|ST|LT t|1|abbr=off|sp=us}}, with cabin dimensions of {{convert|25 by 11|ft|m|2}}. Each car has a capacity of over {{convert|13|ST|LT t|1}} and there is sufficient room in the cabin for 78 passengers and one operator.<ref>{{cite web|title=Portland Aerial Tram – About|url=http://www.gobytram.com/about/|access-date=March 6, 2016|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303220232/http://www.gobytram.com/about/|url-status=live}}</ref> The tram cars were built by [[Gangloff AG]],<ref>{{cite web | title=Gangloff website | url=http://www.gangloff.com | access-date=February 1, 2021 | archive-date=October 12, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012095353/http://www.gangloff.com/ | url-status=live }}</ref> of [[Bern]] in Switzerland, and were shaped and painted to look like the architectural firm's vision of "bubbles floating through the sky". The surface of the cabins reflects and refracts light, minimizing their visual impact to the neighborhood underneath.<ref>{{cite web
 | title='Soap bubble' OHSU tram cabins head for Portland
 | publisher=[[KATU]]
 | url=http://katu.com/news/local/soap-bubble-ohsu-tram-cabins-head-for-portland
 | access-date=December 26, 2016
 | date=September 13, 2006
 | archive-date=December 27, 2016
 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161227055821/http://katu.com/news/local/soap-bubble-ohsu-tram-cabins-head-for-portland
 | url-status=live
 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news
 |newspaper  = [[Portland Tribune]]
 |title      = Cabin fever: The Portland Aerial Tram's cable cars have been shipped from Europe
 |date       = September 12, 2006
|access-date = November 15, 2012
 |url        = http://thetribonline.net/news/story.php?story_id=115808937200801500
|archive-url = https://archive.today/20130222062228/http://thetribonline.net/news/story.php?story_id=115808937200801500
|url-status   = usurped
|archive-date = February 22, 2013
}}</ref>  The north and south cars are named ''Jean'' and ''Walt'',<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.gobytram.com/about/ | title=Learn More | access-date=October 9, 2014 | archive-date=October 10, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010010124/http://www.gobytram.com/about/ | url-status=live }}</ref> respectively, after Jean Richardson, the first female [[engineering]] graduate from [[Oregon State University]], and Walt Reynolds, the first [[African-American]] to graduate from OHSU, then known as the University of Oregon Medical School.<ref>{{cite web|last=Jacks |first=Sean |title=City chooses names for new aerial tramcars |publisher=KGW news |date=January 19, 2007 |url=http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/kgw_011907_life_tram_names.56d4f05f.html |access-date=January 21, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927222200/http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/kgw_011907_life_tram_names.56d4f05f.html |archive-date=September 27, 2007 }}</ref>

===Drive and safety systems===

The tram is propelled by three independent drive systems. The primary drive is a {{convert|450|kW|hp|lk=on}} variable-frequency electric motor. Two hydrostatic [[diesel engine]]s are also part of the design: one is a standby drive, permitting operation during a [[power outage]]; the other is an emergency evacuation drive.<ref name="ieee">{{cite web |publisher=[[IEEE]] |title=The OHSU Portland Aerial Tramway |work=IEEE Oregon Section Blog |url=http://ieeeoregon.wordpress.com/2007/09/14/the-ohsu-portland-aerial-tramway/ |date=September 14, 2007 |access-date=October 22, 2007 |archive-date=July 18, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718100543/http://ieeeoregon.wordpress.com/2007/09/14/the-ohsu-portland-aerial-tramway/ |url-status=live }}</ref>  A {{convert|40|ST|LT t|1|abbr=off|sp=us|adj=mid|lk=on}} counterweight offsets the weight of the cars.<ref>{{cite web
 | url = http://archrecord.construction.com/projects/portfolio/archives/0708portland.asp
 | title = Portland Aerial Tram
 | author = Randy Gragg
 | work = Architectural Record
 | date = August 2007
 | access-date = May 22, 2010
 | archive-date = June 12, 2011
 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110612211247/http://archrecord.construction.com/projects/portfolio/archives/0708portland.asp
 | url-status = live
 }}</ref>  The tram is capable of operating at speeds up to {{convert|22|mph|km/h|abbr=off|sp=us}}
In addition to the redundant drive system, the tram has numerous other design features intended to ensure the safety of passengers and persons on the ground under its route. Communications systems permit the tram car operators to communicate with the control room. Automatic supervisory and control systems monitor the condition of the ropes and the drive systems.  The tram was designed to safely operate in the earthquake-prone [[Pacific Northwest]], with a structural design exceeding U.S [[earthquake standards]],<ref>{{cite web
 | title=Tram Q&A
 | publisher=OHSU
 | url=http://www.ohsu.edu/ohsuedu/about/transformation/tram/tramqanda.cfm
 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060518041514/http://www.ohsu.edu/ohsuedu/about/transformation/tram/tramqanda.cfm
 | url-status=dead
 | archive-date=May 18, 2006
 | access-date=October 22, 2007
 }}</ref> and operate in sustained winds of up to {{convert|50|mph|km/h}}.<ref name="arup"/>

===Operational information===
The tram operates from Monday through Friday from 5:30{{nbsp}}a.m. to 9:30{{nbsp}}p.m. and on Saturdays from 9:00{{nbsp}}a.m. to 5:00{{nbsp}}p.m., [[Pacific Time]]. The tram is closed on Sundays and major holidays, except afternoon summer Sunday service is available.<ref>{{cite web |title=Portland Aerial Tram Fares and Schedules |publisher=Oregon Health & Science University |url=http://www.portlandtram.org/fares.htm |access-date=March 8, 2009 |archive-date=February 14, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214024652/http://portlandtram.org/Fares.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The tram is free for OHSU employees, students, patients, and visitors. [[TriMet]], [[C-TRAN (Washington)|C-Tran]], and [[Portland Streetcar]] monthly and annual passes are honored.<ref name="fares"/>  A ride on the tram normally lasts three minutes.<ref name="PAT"/>

Transportation officials originally estimated the tram would carry over 1,500 people a day, a figure that was expected to rise to 5,500 by 2030.<ref>{{cite news |last=Redden |first=Jim |title=Pricey to build, what cost to ride? |newspaper=[[Portland Tribune]] |date=July 6, 2006 |url=http://thetribonline.net/news/story.php?story_id=115223223345574800 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130222091836/http://thetribonline.net/news/story.php?story_id=115223223345574800 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=February 22, 2013 |access-date=November 15, 2012 }}</ref> Those initial estimates proved to be conservative: the tram attracted one million riders in its first 10{{frac|1|2}} months of operation,<ref name="onemillion"/> and averaged 10,000 riders per weekday as of 2016.<ref name="TEN"/>

In March 2020, because of the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United States|COVID-19 pandemic]], access to the tram was indefinitely limited to employees of OHSU and affiliated institutions served by the tram and to patients.<ref name="limits access">{{cite press release |title=Travel Advisory: Portland Aerial Tram limits rider access to hospital employees, patients |url=https://www.portland.gov/transportation/news/2020/3/20/travel-advisory-portland-aerial-tram-limits-rider-access-hospital |access-date=May 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814141951/https://www.portland.gov/transportation/news/2020/3/20/travel-advisory-portland-aerial-tram-limits-rider-access-hospital |archive-date=August 14, 2020 |date=March 20, 2020 |publisher=City of Portland |url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2022, the tram reopened to the general public after temporary restrictions on access that ultimately lasted more than two years were lifted.<ref name="operations advisory may 2022">{{cite web |title=Portland Aerial Tram: Tram Operations and Fare Advisory |url=https://www.portland.gov/transportation/portland-aerial-tram |access-date=May 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220523132520/https://www.portland.gov/transportation/portland-aerial-tram |archive-date=May 23, 2022 |date=May 9, 2022 |publisher=City of Portland |url-status=live}}</ref>

==History==
[[Image:PortlandAerialTramTower.jpg|thumb|upright|The intermediate tram support tower under construction. The tower is adjacent to the northbound lanes of [[Interstate 5 (Oregon)|Interstate 5]].]]
In late 2001, OHSU purchased property in the [[South Waterfront]] (then known as North Macadam) area, with plans to expand there. After studying several ways, including [[Public transport|shuttle buses]], [[gondola lift]]s, [[tunnel]]s, and even [[funicular]]s, to connect OHSU's primary campus on [[Marquam Hill]] with this area of planned expansion, the university sought city support of an aerial tram.<ref>{{Cite report |title=Portland Aerial Tram: Final Recommendations and Report|url=http://www.portlandonline.com/shared/cfm/image.cfm?id=169069|date=June 10, 2004|author=Portland Aerial Tram Citizens Advisory Commission|publisher=Portland Office of Transportation|access-date=November 22, 2021|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924101129/http://www.portlandonline.com/shared/cfm/image.cfm?id=169069|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Planning and design===
In early 2002, Portland Aerial Transportation, Inc. (PATI) was formed as a [[non-profit]] board.<ref>{{cite news|title=Portland chooses aerial tram design team|newspaper=[[Daily Journal of Commerce]]|author=Aimee Curl|date=March 27, 2003|access-date=May 11, 2015|url=http://djcoregon.com/news/2003/03/27/city-chooses-aerial-tram-design-team/|archive-date=May 14, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150514041946/http://djcoregon.com/news/2003/03/27/city-chooses-aerial-tram-design-team/|url-status=live}}</ref> One of its first public actions was to request the [[Portland Bureau of Transportation]] (at the time known as the Portland Office of Transportation, and abbreviated as PDOT<sup>[[sic]]</sup>) to undertake an independent analysis of the connectivity options considered earlier by the university and its development supporters. In May 2002, the city council accepted PDOT's process proposal and also accepted PATI as the project sponsor. PDOT's assessment led to the same conclusion OHSU had reached earlier: an aerial tram was the preferred approach. PDOT also recommended a second tram linking the Marquam Hill area with a nearby transit center on SW Barbur Boulevard. In July 2002, the [[Portland, Oregon City Council|city council]] accepted PDOT's recommendations and asked PDOT and PATI to proceed to the design phase, including a design competition.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2002/07/15/daily18.html|title=Consultant to plan tram design competition|newspaper=[[Portland Business Journal]]|date=July 16, 2002|access-date=October 23, 2007|archive-date=May 25, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525191911/http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2002/07/15/daily18.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Both were also asked to work with residents of the affected neighborhoods to identify ways to mitigate the tram's impact and identify other desired neighborhood improvements which should accompany the project. One of the results of that process was the [[Gibbs Street Pedestrian Bridge]], which was completed mid-2012.

The design competition started out by identifying four firms which would participate in the contest. The competition officially began in January 2003, with firms from [[New York City]], [[Amsterdam]], and [[Los Angeles]]/[[Zürich]] as finalists. The winner, Angélil / Graham / Pfenninger / Scholl of Los Angeles/Zürich, was announced on March 26, 2003.<ref>{{cite web | title = Project History/Background | publisher = Portland Office of Transportation | url = http://www.portlandonline.com/transportation/index.cfm?c=41095&a=125720 | access-date = November 16, 2006 | archive-date = September 26, 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070926213533/http://www.portlandonline.com/transportation/index.cfm?c=41095&a=125720 | url-status = live}}</ref> In November, PATI chose [[Doppelmayr CTEC]] to design, fabricate and install the tram. The first public review of the project's status was November 2003.

===Construction and opening===
<!--need better timeline, move more funding information out-->
Construction began in August 2005, with work on both platforms and the intermediate tower occurring through the summer of that year. The bulk of the construction occurred in 2006. Installation of the engines and other equipment occurred during the spring and early summer of 2006, which was followed by installation of the cables during the late summer and early fall.<ref name="timeline">{{cite web |publisher=City of Portland Office of Transportation |title=Portland Aerial Tram Construction Timeline |access-date=October 22, 2007 |year=2006 |url=http://www.portlandonline.com/transportation/index.cfm?c=41095&a=125724 |archive-date=June 9, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609051849/http://www.portlandonline.com/transportation/index.cfm?c=41095&a=125724 |url-status=live}}</ref>

On October 29, 2006, the tram's two cars arrived from Switzerland after a week-long delay.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bradshaw |first=Nick |title=Portland's tram cars arrive |publisher=[[KGW]] |date=October 30, 2006 | url=http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/kgw_102906_news_tram_cars.87aac54e.html |access-date=November 15, 2006 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061031104138/http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/kgw_102906_news_tram_cars.87aac54e.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = October 31, 2006}}</ref> An inaugural run of the tram was conducted on November 9, 2006.<ref>{{cite web |title=Crews test one of the new tram cars |publisher=[[KATU]] |date=November 9, 2006 |url=http://www.katu.com/news/4605286.html |access-date=November 15, 2006 |archive-date=October 10, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071010053609/http://www.katu.com/news/4605286.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Four tram construction workers were the first to test ride the tram while harnessed to the roof and suspending arm. Testing on the tram continued through November.<ref name="timeline"/> The tram opened to OHSU employees on December 15, 2006.<ref>{{cite news|last=Rose|first=Joseph|title=Fast-acting analgesic: the tram|newspaper=[[The Oregonian]] |date=December 16, 2006 |page=B1}}</ref> The tram opened to the public on January 27, 2007.<ref>{{cite news |title=OHSU tram makes its public debut |publisher=KATU news |url=http://www.katu.com/news/5385641.html |access-date=January 27, 2007 |archive-date=October 8, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071008002229/http://www.katu.com/news/5385641.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Incidents ===
On December 4, 2018, a metal roof panel from one of the aerial tramway cabins came free and fell to the ground. The 35-square-foot panel fell an estimated 130 feet, struck a pedestrian below and caused minor injuries.<ref>{{Cite web|last= Bailey Jr|first=Everton|date=December 5, 2018|title='Decorative panel' falls from Portland Aerial Tram, hits pedestrian in head|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/news/2018/12/decorative-panel-falls-from-portland-aerial-tram-injures-1-on-pedestrian-bridge.html|access-date=February 6, 2021|work=[[The Oregonian]]|language=en}}</ref> After the incident, the [[Portland Bureau of Transportation]] commissioned a review of the incident.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Powell|first=Meerah|title=Report: 2018 Portland Aerial Tram Panel Fall Caused By Wind, Design|url=https://www.opb.org/news/article/portland-aerial-tram-panel-fall-cause-2018/|date=May 1, 2019|access-date=February 6, 2021|publisher=[[OPB]]}}</ref> The review, and subsequent report, concluded that high winds dislodged the panel and that the existing latch and tether system failed to stop the panel from falling. In an effort to prevent future incidents, the engineering company designed a new permanent anchorage and safety tether system for the roof panels. Installation of this system was due to be complete by end of summer 2019.<ref>{{cite report|url=https://www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/article/730301|title=Portland Tram Incident Report|last=Deis|first=Joel|date=April 15, 2019|publisher=Ridgeline Engineering Company|access-date=February 6, 2021|archive-date=May 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190522153406/https://www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/article/730301|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Funding and cost overruns==
The project suffered significant [[cost overrun]]s during its construction. Final cost was nearly four times the initial estimate, a development that nearly led to the tram's cancellation mid-construction. Operating costs are nearly twice original projections.<ref name="nicetram"/>  When the city approved the tram project, it was understood that OHSU would pay for most of it.<ref name="nice">{{cite news | last = Murphy | first = Todd | title = Nice tram, who pays? | newspaper = [[Portland Tribune]] | date = October 11, 2002 | url = http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=14099 | access-date = October 23, 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071030085210/http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=14099 | archive-date = October 30, 2007 | url-status = dead }}</ref>  While the taxpayer share has grown, OHSU paid for 85% of the total cost of the tram though it is operated as public transit facility.<ref name="4bucks"/>

===Initial estimates and funding===
The initial budget for the tram, published in November 2002, was $15.5 million, excluding "soft costs" such as project management and architect's fees.<ref name="Funding">{{cite web | title = Portland Aerial Tram Project Funding History | publisher = Sam Adams | url = http://www.commissionersam.com/sam_adams/files/tram_funding_history_102605.pdf | access-date = November 15, 2006 | url-status = usurped | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061029104303/http://www.commissionersam.com/sam_adams/files/tram_funding_history_102605.pdf | archive-date = October 29, 2006 }}</ref>  Funding sources for the $15.5 million include a direct $4 million cash contribution from OHSU, $9.5 from [[local improvement district]]s set up to fund tram construction, of which OHSU's share is $4.8 million, and $2 million from the city of Portland, via the [[Portland Development Commission]]. Other property owners in the South Waterfront Local Improvement District pay the remaining $3.7 million.

In April 2004, the second public review was held to present project recommendations prior to a May review by the city council. The costs by then were estimated to be $28.5&nbsp;million, including soft costs. The city's share at that time was $3.5 million.<ref name="Funding"/>  In April 2005, the price was readjusted again to $40&nbsp;million<ref name="Funding" /> with a construction delay of six months. Higher steel costs, weakening US dollars, and engineering modifications were blamed. By October, ''[[The Oregonian]]'' reported that steel costs had led to bids pushing the project's price (with contingency funds) to $45&nbsp;million. The increased cost was expected to be met through South Waterfront [[urban renewal]] contributions which would have otherwise been spent on streets and parks.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.wweek.com/editorial/3028/5073/ | newspaper=[[Willamette Week]] | title=Foes fear tram flimflam | date=May 12, 2004 | author=Zach Dundas | access-date=October 23, 2007 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071112145441/http://wweek.com/editorial/3028/5073/ | archive-date=November 12, 2007 }}</ref>

===Review of the project===
[[Image:Portland Aerial Tram OHSU station.jpg|thumb|A tram car docking with the upper terminal]]
In January 2006, Portland city commissioner [[Sam Adams (Oregon politician)|Sam Adams]], who inherited the city's oversight of the project, undertook several actions in response to spiraling costs.  The executive director of PATI was ousted,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.commissionersam.com/sam_adams/files/rhodes_resignation.PDF | title=Resignation letter | date=January 20, 2006 | url-status=usurped | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929234147/http://www.commissionersam.com/sam_adams/files/rhodes_resignation.PDF | archive-date=September 29, 2011 }}</ref> and a month-long independent audit and risk assessment was undertaken; its results were published February 1, 2006.  By this point, construction was over one third completed.<ref>{{cite news
|first=Ryan
|last=Frank
|title=Tram goes up again
|date=February 2, 2006
|newspaper=The Oregonian
|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:ORGB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=10F8CDFE8F8C0AA0&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated4&req_dat=0D10F2CADB4B24C0
}}</ref>

The audit revealed that OHSU managers knew as early as 2003 that the tram would cost well in excess of the original $15.5 million figure, partially due to a change in location of the upper terminal to accommodate planned hospital construction, but had withheld that information from city leaders.  This resulted in harsh public criticism of OHSU management, with city commissioner Randy Leonard accusing the university leadership of an "outrageous shell game...all at the expense of taxpayers".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.portlandonline.com/shared/cfm/image.cfm?id=113441 | publisher=City of Portland | title=No more city funding for Portland Aerial Tram | date=April 12, 2006 | access-date=October 20, 2007 | archive-date=May 1, 2006 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060501032816/http://www.portlandonline.com/shared/cfm/image.cfm?id=113441 | url-status=live }}</ref>  As a result, the city of Portland threatened to withdraw funding from the tram mid-construction, which would probably have scuttled the project.  OHSU protested vigorously, threatening a lawsuit should the tram be canceled, and claimed the city was responsible for making up any budget shortfall.<ref>{{cite web
 | url=http://www.ohsu.edu/xd/about/news_events/news/2006/04-04-ohsu-insists-city-contin.cfm
 | title=OHSU Insists City Continue Tram Construction
 | date=April 6, 2004
| publisher=OHSU
 | access-date=October 19, 2007
}}</ref>
Negotiations between the city, OHSU, and the contractors ensued, with a revised funding plan and budget being agreed upon in April 2006, by a 3–2 vote of the city council.<ref name="revised">{{cite web
 | url=http://www.ohsu.edu/xd/about/news_events/news/2006/04-20-backgrounder-q-a-on-tr.cfm
 | title=Backgrounder Q & A On Tram Financing Package
 | date=April 20, 2006
| publisher=OHSU
 | access-date=October 25, 2014
| archive-date=February 1, 2021
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201024002/https://news.ohsu.edu/news-media/this-page-has-been-moved
 | url-status=live
 }}</ref>  This revised funding plan required concessions from all parties involved, and called for a final budget of $57 million, with contributions from the city at $8.5 million, or nearly 15% of the overall budget.<ref>{{cite web
 |url         = http://www.commissionersam.com/sam_adams/files/exhibit_a_with_blurb_revised.pdf
 |title       = Exhibit A: Final Portland Aerial Tram Funding Plan
 |publisher   = Portland City Commissioner [[Sam Adams (Oregon politician)|Sam Adams]]
 |date        = April 20, 2004
|access-date  = October 19, 2007
 |url-status     = usurped
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20071020121450/http://www.commissionersam.com/sam_adams/files/exhibit_a_with_blurb_revised.pdf
 |archive-date = October 20, 2007
}}</ref>  This final budget was met.

===Operating costs===
The tram's operating costs are also higher than expected. Originally, it was expected to cost $915,000 annually, but is now expected to be $1.7 million. As a result, the fare—originally estimated at $1.70—is set at $8.50 (as of 2025),<ref name="operations advisory may 2022"/> similar to the price of an all-day ticket on Tri-Met ($5.00).<ref>{{cite web | url=http://trimet.org/fares/ | publisher=Tri-Met | title=Tri-Met Fares | access-date=August 17, 2015 | archive-date=August 10, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150810163855/http://trimet.org/fares/ | url-status=live }}</ref>  The fare is waived for OHSU employees, students, patients, and visitors.  Operating costs are divided between the city and OHSU in proportion to the ridership. (If 85% of passengers are OHSU-related, OHSU pays 85% of the operating cost.)<ref>{{cite web
 | url = http://www.ohsu.edu/ohsuedu/about/transformation/tram/tramqanda.cfm#Who_will_pay_the_continuing_operation_costs?
 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060518041514/http://www.ohsu.edu/ohsuedu/about/transformation/tram/tramqanda.cfm#Who_will_pay_the_continuing_operation_costs
 | url-status = dead
 | archive-date = May 18, 2006
 | title = Tram Q & A: Who will pay the continuing operation costs?
 | publisher = OHSU
 | access-date = October 29, 2007
 }}</ref>

==Community response==
Even prior to the cost increases which plagued the design and construction of the tram, the project has been subject to criticism from the public. Many residents in the neighborhoods under the tram's route object to the tram's presence. The cost increases themselves, and the perceived machinations of public officials, have been controversial.

===Objections from underlying neighborhoods===
[[Image:Fuck the Tram sign.jpg|thumb|Auld's controversial protest banner, viewed from the tram itself.]]
Many residents of the Corbett-Terwilliger and Lair Hill neighborhoods, over which the tram passes, were concerned the cars would be an invasion of privacy and lead to lower property values.<ref>{{cite news | last = Redden | first = Jim | title = Tram OK lifts the gate on growth | newspaper = [[Portland Tribune]] | date = May 3, 2005 | url = http://thetribonline.net/news/story.php?story_id=29697 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130222093747/http://thetribonline.net/news/story.php?story_id=29697 | url-status = usurped | archive-date = February 22, 2013 | access-date = November 15, 2012 }}</ref>  Initially, residents were promised that overhead power lines would be buried as part of the project, but as cost overruns mounted, this plan was scrapped.<ref>{{cite news | last = Murphy | first = Todd | title = City, neighbors are poles apart | newspaper = [[Portland Tribune]] | date = November 4, 2005 | url = http://thetribonline.net/news/story.php?story_id=32533 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130222075640/http://thetribonline.net/news/story.php?story_id=32533 | url-status = usurped | archive-date = February 22, 2013 | access-date = November 15, 2012 }}</ref>  Neighborhood opponents of the tram have cited other reasons for opposing the tram's construction, including the fact that the North Corbett neighborhood is a [[historic district (United States)|historic district]] listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref name="notram">{{cite web | url=http://www.notram.org/faq.htm | title=No tram to OHSU: About the tram | access-date=October 22, 2007 | publisher=notram.org | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012120949/http://notram.org/faq.htm <!--Added by H3llBot--> | archive-date=October 12, 2007}}</ref>  Some residents filed a lawsuit against the city and OHSU, claiming that they own the "airspace" above their properties.<ref name="regroup">{{cite news | title=Neighbors regroup as tram plan keeps flying | date=June 18, 2004 | author=Jennifer Anderson | newspaper=Portland Tribune | url=http://thetribonline.net/news/story.php?story_id=24858 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20130222092556/http://thetribonline.net/news/story.php?story_id=24858 | url-status=usurped | archive-date=February 22, 2013 | access-date=November 15, 2012 }}</ref>  The city later offered to purchase homes directly under the tram route at fair market value.<ref name="regroup"/>

In the initial years after its completion, the tram was unpopular with some living underneath its route. In April 2007, homeowner Justin Auld, living under the tram route, placed a sign on his backyard fence stating "[[FUCK]] THE TRAM" in large block letters. The sign is not visible from the street, only from the air.  The publicity surrounding the sign prompted city officials to quietly negotiate with the homeowner,<ref>{{cite web | title = Man explains why he made f-bomb tram sign | publisher = [[KATU]] | date = April 26, 2007 | url = http://www.katu.com/news/local/7212071.html | access-date = May 29, 2007 | archive-date = June 14, 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070614054517/http://www.katu.com/news/local/7212071.html | url-status = live }}</ref> and the sign has since been moved and the expletive covered.<ref>{{cite web | title = F-bomb sign moved, profane word hidden | publisher = [[KATU]] | date = April 27, 2007 | url = http://www.katu.com/news/7230831.html | access-date = May 29, 2007 | archive-date = May 1, 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070501191327/http://www.katu.com/news/7230831.html | url-status = live }}</ref>

===Concerns over the cost===
Both OHSU and the city of Portland have taken much public criticism for ballooning development costs. Local television station [[KATU]] questioned the relative price of the Portland tram compared to a new tram at [[Jackson Hole Mountain Resort]], which was built by the same company, and (as of 2007) was projected to carry 28 percent more passengers, but costing only $25&nbsp;million.<ref name="4bucks"/><ref>{{cite web
 | url = http://www.jacksonhole.com/info/tram_facts.asp
 | title = Tram Facts and History
 | publisher = [[Jackson Hole Mountain Resort]]
 | access-date = November 20, 2007
 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070814043311/http://www.jacksonhole.com/info/tram_facts.asp <!-- Bot retrieved archive -->
 | archive-date = August 14, 2007
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
 | url = http://www.jacksonhole.com/info/jhpressreleases/jhpressreleases.080906.release.asp
 | title = New Tram Announcement Press Release
 | date = August 9, 2006
| publisher = [[Jackson Hole Mountain Resort]]
 | access-date = November 20, 2007
 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071020030831/http://www.jacksonhole.com/info/jhpressreleases/jhpressreleases.080906.release.asp <!-- Bot retrieved archive -->
 | archive-date = October 20, 2007}}</ref>

The tram's supporters, however, claimed that many of the increases are justified, or due to circumstances beyond the developers' control. The auditor's report, commissioned in 2006, complimented the tram as "a dramatic, one-of-a-kind facility that will become a Portland landmark," and noted that the design was difficult to construct, requiring the tall, thin, complex tower and the tall, heavily loaded upper terminal to be built within very tight tolerances.<ref name="audit">{{cite web
 |url          = http://pinnellbusch.com/doc/AerialTram.pdf
 |title        = Portland Aerial Tram Risk Assessment Report
 |date         = February 1, 2006
|publisher    = PinnellBusch
 |access-date   = October 22, 2007
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20160701054900/http://pinnellbusch.com/doc/AerialTram.pdf
 |archive-date = July 1, 2016
 |url-status     = dead
}}</ref>

In addition, it has been claimed that the re-planning delayed the tram's completion. One of the designers of the tram noted that "if we added up all the times we went back to try to save money, we probably lost a year. Maybe we saved $2 million, but what did we lose? If we had an extra year, that would have meant a lot."<ref>{{cite news
 | last = Gragg
 | first = Randy
 | title = Designing for dollars with the tram
 | url = http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:ORGB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=11770AC85E066AA8&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated4&req_dat=8CE642B8CA5C4083BE84A2539D6E1A73
 | newspaper = The Oregonian
 | date = February 18, 2007
| pages = O6
 | access-date = February 1, 2021
| archive-date = February 1, 2021
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210201024021/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news%2F11770AC85E066AA8&f=basic
 | url-status = live
 }}</ref>

===Concerns over corporate welfare===
[[File:Portland tram upper station back - Oregon.jpg|thumb|upright|The upper station with OHSU Hospital on the left]]
Some critics, at the time of construction, cited the tram as an example of [[corporate welfare]] for OHSU with limited public benefit.<ref>{{cite news | last = Dundas | first = Zach | title = The Lady and the Tram | newspaper = [[Willamette Week]] | date = April 21, 2004 | url = http://www.wweek.com/story.php?story=5006 | access-date = November 15, 2006 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927001224/http://www.wweek.com/story.php?story=5006 | archive-date = September 27, 2007 }}</ref>  A 2001 study done by OHSU prior to the tram's being designed projected that the tram would have 4,700 riders per day by 2030, with less than one fifth (850) of those being non-OHSU users.<ref name="nice"/>  While the lower station has easy public access, access to the upper station requires navigating through the OHSU hospital. The [[Cascade Policy Institute]], a local [[libertarian]] research group, criticized the project for being "railroaded through the political process by small groups of private interests", and expressed doubt that tram construction would lead to new jobs.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.cascadepolicy.org/QP/QP0702-3.htm | title=OHSU Tram: Forward into the past! | author=John A. Charles | access-date=October 23, 2007 | date=July 16, 2002 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060625233427/http://www.cascadepolicy.org/QP/QP0702-3.htm | archive-date=June 25, 2006 }}</ref>

Others argue that while the issues of increasing public costs are real, the importance of continued growth of OHSU for the city's economy must be factored in as well. Not only is it the largest employer in the city, but OHSU is an important and effective vehicle to attract both federal funding,<ref>{{cite web | title = NIH Awards to Medical Schools by Rank | publisher = National Institutes of Health | url = http://grants.nih.gov/grants/award/rank/medttl05.htm | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071026061610/http://grants.nih.gov/grants/award/rank/medttl05.htm | archive-date = October 26, 2007 }}</ref> totaling more than $168&nbsp;million for 2005, and a highly skilled workforce to the area. The growth in the current campus on the Marquam Hill is limited by access roads and parking, an expansion of which would likely cause more dramatic harm to the surrounding communities.<ref>{{cite web
 |url           = http://www.ohsu.edu/about/plan/
 |archive-url   = https://web.archive.org/web/20030225054731/http://www.ohsu.edu/about/plan/
 |url-status    = dead
 |archive-date  = February 25, 2003
 |title         = Constructing the Present, Building the Future (OHSU Master Facilities Plan)
 |author1       = Kathleen McFall
 |author2       = Jim Enright
 |name-list-style = amp
 |publisher     = [[Oregon Health & Science University]]
 |access-date    = October 18, 2007
}}</ref>

===Architectural and visual impacts===
The tram has been praised for its visual impact. Critic [[Jeff Jahn]] of PortlandArt.net called the tram "the most significant new piece of architecture to be added to Portland since [[Michael Graves]]' [[Portland Building]] in 1980".<ref>{{cite web | work=portlandart.net | title=21st century consciousness and Portland's Aerial Tram | url=http://www.portlandart.net/archives/2007/02/21st_century_co.html | author=Jeff Jahn | date=February 2, 2007 | access-date=October 23, 2007 | archive-date=October 23, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071023160123/http://www.portlandart.net/archives/2007/02/21st_century_co.html | url-status=live }}</ref>  The tram has also won several architectural awards, including the [[American Institute of Architects]]' Los Angeles chapter's 2006 NEXT Honor Award, and the 2007 Presidential Award of Excellence from the [[American Institute of Steel Construction]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ohsu.edu/ohsuedu/newspub/051807tram.cfm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071227055254/http://www.ohsu.edu/ohsuedu/newspub/051807tram.cfm | url-status=dead | archive-date=December 27, 2007 | title=Tram wins national award for engineering excellence | date=May 18, 2007 | publisher=OHSU | access-date=October 22, 2007 }}</ref> <!--need more here-->

According to city commissioner Adams, a cheaper alternative which would have changed the tower's designs to a lattice style used in [[Electricity pylon|electrical transmission towers]], was not considered because the result would look like an "ugly [[ski lift]] at a bad ski resort"<ref name="Sam Adams' blog">{{cite web | last = Adams | first = Sam | title = Sam Adams's blog | url = http://www.commissionersam.com/blog/2?page=8 | access-date = November 15, 2006 | url-status = usurped | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061029100550/http://www.commissionersam.com/blog/2?page=8 | archive-date = October 29, 2006 }}</ref> and leave the city with what Adams called an "ugly [[postcard]]" that could last 100&nbsp;years.<ref name="Sam Adams' blog"/> Critics of the tram have also expressed concern over the tram's spoiling views for the homeowners from the city's West Hills, particularly from Gibbs Street, under the tram.<ref name="notram"/>

==See also==
* [[Sandia Peak Tramway]]

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=32em|refs=
<ref name="onemillion">{{cite web |url=http://www.kptv.com/news/14360508/detail.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070808015019/http://www.kptv.com/news/14360508/detail.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 8, 2007 |title=Tram Carries Its Millionth Passenger |publisher=[[KPTV]] |date=October 17, 2007 |access-date=October 17, 2007 }}</ref>
<ref name="tenmill">{{cite web | url= http://gobytram.com/?p=2650 | title= Ten Millionth Rider | date= January 30, 2014 | work= gobytram.com | access-date= February 17, 2014 | archive-date= February 25, 2014 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140225231607/http://gobytram.com/?p=2650 | url-status= live }}</ref>
}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Portland Aerial Tram}}
* {{official website|http://gobytram.com/}}
* [http://www.oregonlive.com/special/tram/oregonian/?archive Archive of tram-related articles] from ''[[The Oregonian]]'', including a [http://www.oregonlive.com/pdfs/special/oregonian/Tram_CarDiagram.pdf diagram of a tram car]
* [http://www.southportlandna.org/ South Portland Neighborhood Association]

{{Homestead, Portland, Oregon}}
{{Portland Transit}}
{{South Portland, Portland, Oregon}}
{{United States aerial tramways}}

{{coord|45.499306|-122.672578|display=title}}

{{good article}}

[[Category:2006 establishments in Oregon]]
[[Category:Aerial tramways in the United States]]
[[Category:Homestead, Portland, Oregon]]
[[Category:Oregon Health & Science University]]
[[Category:South Portland, Portland, Oregon]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Portland, Oregon]]
[[Category:Transportation buildings and structures in Portland, Oregon]]