USA: Test running of light rail vehicles has started over the Tilikum Crossing over the Willamette River in Portland.
Operator TriMet says that the 524 m cable-stayed bridge is the longest car-free transit bridge in the US. It will be used by buses, cyclists and pedestrians in addition to trams and LRVs.
Construction started in June 2011 and the $134·6m cost was met through federal grants, lottery proceeds and TriMet.
The bridge forms part of the 11·7 km MAX Orange Line light rail extension to the suburb of Milwaukie, scheduled to open on September 12 2015.
