Cast iron remnants, left alone. Why?

A while ago Marsha told me she had noticed some cast iron stored beneath the east end of the exit ramp of the Hawthorne Bridge. I decided to take some photos of them on the day that I went to the rally for our Portland Trail Blazers--that's the only time I've caught the bus at the base of the exit ramp. Both of us are curious about them and why they are there.








Maybe we can find out on Saturday when we go to a lecture on Portland's cast iron architecture at the Architectural Heritage Center. From their Web site: Portland’s Cast-Iron Building Heritage: Skidmore - Old Town. Skidmore - Old Town is where the city of Portland began. Designated a National Landmark Historic District by the National Parks Service in 1977 (the highest level of national heritage recognition) it is the only designated NHL district in the city. Come learn from architect, author and cast-iron expert Bill Hawkins in this special Members-Only lecture.