Get to know Portland's bridges: St. Johns

Flashback: Getting the St. Johns Bridge built was no easy feat. After World War I and the construction of the Sellwood, Burnside and Ross Island bridges, Portlanders weren't eager to fund another.

• Yes, but: Shipbuilders, ironworkers and sawmill operators banded together to advocate citywide for a bridge to replace the ferry between St. Johns and Linnton.
• Construction was completed in 1931. The 2,067-foot suspension bridge's Gothic church spire-inspired arches became an instant icon and it remains the tallest river crossing in the city — with its towers standing at 400 feet tall.
• Designer David Steinman, who engineered hundreds of bridges in his career, said St. Johns was his all-time favorite.
• He even pushed to make it verde green (it's not weathered copper!) to blend in with Forest Park, not black and yellow, like officials initially suggested.

Zoom in: Vehicle traffic in the ensuing decades resulted in significant deterioration.

• In the early aughts, several improvements were completed, including waterproofing cables, deck replacement, removing the original toxic lead paint and adding bike lanes.

The latest: Restoration is ongoing to ensure the long-term safety of the bridge.

• Crews are currently repairing the concrete pier columns to protect the steel internal frame from corrosion — work that will continue for another two years.