Back in September 2015 the Tilikum Crossing bridge was inaugurated in Portland, USA, to connect neighbors such as South Waterfront, Lair Hill or Brooklyn. This bridge was awarded as the Best Highway/Bridge by the magazine Engineering News-Record in 2016. Why is it so special?

The Tilikum Crossing bridge is a clear example of mobility for people. On the one hand, it allows public transport such as light trains like MAX, the tram Portland Streetcar, and buses such as FX2-Division, 9-Powell Blvd, 17-Holgate/Broadway or 19-Woodstock/Glisan. On the other hand, there are also two 4 meters wing sides to enjoy views over the Willamette river. This space is leveraged by bikes and pedestrians, so that every way of transport and person has its dedicated line. Cars, vans and trucks are prohibited.

This point not only ensures practically no noise, but also way less pollution. Not surprisingly, the local newspaper The Atlantic defined it as the bridge that banned cars. In contrast, the project promoter baptized it as the bridge for people. Indeed, a participatory process was carried out to select its name. Tilikum means people, community or relatives in Chinook Wawa (a historical contact language from the Pacific Northwest).