PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — As part of its commitment to sustainability, TriMet is installing wind turbines on the Tilikum Crossing bridge.
The 12 small turbines will generate electricity to power lights that shine on the turbines at night. They are one of the last parts of the Max orange line project and cost $350,000.
It’s a pilot project and their performance will be tracked by PSU mechanical engineer school for potential future use in transit projects.
The turbines are called “vertical axis wind turbines” and are about four feet by four feet with three curved blades. Similar turbines are used on the Philadelphia Eagles stadium, the Detroit Metropolitan Airport and the Eiffel Tower.
The will be installed on poles on the edges of the pathways and at both ends of the bridge.
It will take about a month to install them, starting on March 25. It won’t affect trains, buses or streetcars but the multi-use paths will be closed from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. on March 25-26 for the south pathway and March 27-28 for the north pathway.
