Portland Aerial Tram

The Portland Aerial Tram connects the South Waterfront district on the Willamette River to the Oregon Health and Science University campus on Marquam Hill. The gondola ride takes about 4 minutes, covers 500 feet of vertical elevation, and gives excellent views over the river and the city. It runs on a continuous loop during operating hours.

The tram is primarily a commuter service for OHSU employees and patients, but it's open to the public for a small fare in each direction. The lower terminal is at the end of SW Moody Avenue in the South Waterfront — reachable by the Portland Streetcar (NS Line). From the upper terminal at OHSU, it's a short walk to a viewpoint over the city and the Cascades. The tram does not run on Sundays (except for OHSU special event days).

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A story
The tram was built in 2006 to connect Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU), which sits on a hilltop with no viable road access for increased traffic, to the South Waterfront district where OHSU was building new facilities. The total construction cost came in at $57 million — far over the original estimate of $15 million — which became a significant political controversy in Portland. The ride takes 3 minutes and covers a vertical rise of about 500 feet.