The $57-Million Budget Disaster That’s Now a Beloved Portland Icon & Must-Try

The Portland Aerial Tram

Sure, you could drive up to Oregon Health & Science University, but Portland’s got a much better idea. The Aerial Tram carries you 500 feet up in the air for the most scenic commute in town.

Four minutes of floating above the city, with killer views in every direction – and it’ll only set you back a few bucks if you’re heading up.

But before that, it almost never existed. The project went nearly 400% over budget, and here’s the story.

The Final Price Was Insane

They almost canceled the whole project midway through building it because of the ballooning costs. The tram was supposed to cost $15.5 million but ended up with a $57 million price tag. The city is gradually collecting its $8.5 million share through increased property values in the area.

The Bubble Design Was Actually Thoughtful

Those sleek silver cabins weren’t designed to look that way by accident. The architects wanted them to resemble bubbles floating through the air, with surfaces that reflect light to reduce their visual impact on the homes below.

The design came from the creative minds at Angelil/Graham/Pfenniger/Scholl, a firm with offices in both Switzerland and Los Angeles.

The Cabins Named After Local Heroes

Those tram cabins are named after iconic figures in Portland.

There’s “Jean,” which honors Jean Richardson, the first woman to graduate with an engineering degree from Oregon State University.

And then you have walt “Walt,” the tram that celebrates Walt Reynolds, who broke barriers as the first African American to graduate from OHSU.

Both got to ride in their namesake cabins during a special ceremony back in 2007.

Native Words Mark Where You Start and End

The locals might just call them “upper” and “lower” stations today, but their real names have indigenous roots.

The waterfront station is called “Chamanchal,” meaning “on the river” in the Tualitin language, while the hilltop station is “Chemeffu,” or “on the mountain.”

These names weren’t random choices. They were carefully selected during planning to connect this modern transportation system with the land’s original people.

How a Hospital Grew Without Cutting Down Trees

Before the tram existed, getting to OHSU was a real challenge. The hospital on Marquam Hill could only be reached by two narrow, winding forest roads that limited how much the medical campus could grow.

The university needed a way to transport people without cutting down more trees to build roads. They looked at options like funiculars, tunnels, and gondolas before deciding on the aerial tram.

The Tram Needs a “Haircut” Every Year and a Half

The cable that pulls the cabins actually stretches over time and needs to be shortened every 18 months, plus completely replaced every six years.

This maintenance requires special crews and temporary shutdowns. The system also has backup drivers and generators in case the power goes out. After a panel fell off during high winds in 2018, they added new safety features. The tram also undergoes constant computer monitoring to make sure everything works properly.

Uses Swiss Earthquake Precautions

When you ride the tram, you’re on one of the most earthquake-prepared aerial systems in the country. Instead of just meeting American requirements for earthquake safety, the tram follows stricter Swiss standards for aerial tramways.

The engineers borrowed knowledge from systems in the Swiss Alps, where trams need to handle extreme conditions. The structure has reinforced components, flexible elements, and emergency systems that would activate automatically during an earthquake.

Way More Popular Than Anyone Thought Possible

The tram has become way more popular than anyone expected. They thought maybe 1,500 people would use it daily, but now almost 9,000 ride it each weekday.

About 85% of riders are heading to OHSU, and the other 15% are tourists or locals using it for their commute. It took just 10.5 months to reach one million passengers in October 2007. By January 2014, ten million people had taken a ride. During busy times (7-9am and 4-6pm on weekdays), you might find yourself sharing the cabin with 78 other passengers.

The 4T Trail

The tram isn’t just a way to get up the hill. It’s actually part of a unique Portland adventure called the 4T Trail. This self-guided urban journey combines Trails, Tram, Trolley (streetcar), and Train (MAX light rail) into one complete Portland experience.

You can begin anywhere on the loop, though many people start with hiking in Washington Park. The 4T showcases how Portland integrates transportation with outdoor activities.

You’ll see the city from multiple angles as you transition between walking, riding the tram, taking the streetcar, and hopping on the MAX.

The Giant Glass Hallway in the Sky

After you exit the tram at the top, you’ll notice something impressive. The upper terminal connects to OHSU through what happens to be the largest enclosed sky bridge in North America.

This massive structure keeps people dry while walking between the tram and hospital regardless of Portland’s famous rain. From the nearby outdoor deck, you can take in amazing views of downtown, the Willamette River, and on clear days, Mount Hood and Mount St. Helens.

Riding the Portland Aerial Tram

The lower terminal is located in South Waterfront at S Moody Avenue and Gibbs Street.

The upper terminal is at the Kohler Pavilion on OHSU’s Marquam Hill campus.  During your three-minute journey, you’ll travel 3,300 feet horizontally while rising 500 feet vertically. 

Tickets:

• A round-trip ride costs $8.50 as of 2025 
• Free for OHSU employees, students, patients, and visitors with proper ID
• Buy tickets online before your visit or at terminal kiosks using credit or debit cards

Monday through Friday, you can ride from 5:30am to 9:30pm. On Saturdays, hours are shortened to 9:00am-5:00pm. The tram doesn’t run on Sundays or holidays.