Astoria-Megler Bridge

Infobox_Bridge
bridge_name= Astoria-Megler Bridge


caption=
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carries= 2 lanes of US 101
crosses= Columbia River
locale= Astoria, Oregon
maint= Oregon DOT
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design= cantilever through-truss
mainspan= 1,232 ft
length= 21,474 ft (6,545 m)
width= 28 ft
clearance=
below= 196 ft at high tide
traffic=
open= August 271966
closed=
toll=
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coordinates= coord|46|13|02|N|123|51|47|W|region:US_type:landmark
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The Astoria-Megler Bridge is a continuous truss bridge that spans the mouth of the Columbia River between Astoria, Oregon and Point Ellice near Megler, Washington, in the United States. The span was the last segment of U.S. Route 101 between Olympia, Washington and Los Angeles, California.cite book | last= Holstine | first = Craig E. | coauthor = Hobbs, Richard | title = Spanning Washington : Historic Highway Bridges of the Evergreen State | publisher = Washington State University Press | pages = 100 | date = 2005 | id = ISBN 0-87422-281-8 ] It is the longest continuous truss bridge in North America.

History

Ferry service between Astoria and the Washington side of the Columbia River began in 1926. [http://www.oldoregon.com/visitor-info/entry/astoria-megler-bridge/ Astoria-Megler Bridge.] Astoria & Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved on May 14 2008.] The Oregon Department of Transportation purchased the ferry service in 1946. This ferry service did not operate during inclement weather and the half an hour travel time caused delays. In order to allow faster and more reliable crossings at the mouth of the river, a bridge was planned. The bridge was built jointly by the Oregon Department of Transportation and Washington State Department of Transportation. [cite book | first = Dwight A. | last= Smith | coauthors = Norman, James B.; Dykman, Pieter T. | title = Historic Highway Bridges of Oregon | publisher = Oregon Historical Society Press | date = 1989 | pages = 299 | id = ISBN 0-87595-205-4 ]

Construction on the structure began on November 51962. The concrete piers were cast at Tongue Point, 4 miles (6 km) upriver. The steel structure was built in segments at Vancouver, Washington, 90 miles (145 km) upriver, then barged downstream where hydraulic jacks lifted them into place. On August 271966, with more than 30,000 people in attendance, Governors Mark Hatfield of Oregon and Dan Evans of Washington opened the bridge by cutting a ceremonial ribbon. The cost of the project was $24 million and was paid for by tolls that were removed on December 241993.

Details

The bridge is 21,474 ft (6,545 m) in length and carries one lane of traffic in each direction. The main span is closest to the Oregon side and measures 1,232 feet long. The bridge was built to withstand 150 mph (240 km/h) wind gusts and river speeds of 9 mph (14 km/h). As of 2004, an average of 7,100 vehicles per day use the Astoria-Megler Bridge. [ [http://nationalbridges.com/nbi_record.php?StateCode=41&struct=07949C009+00241 NBI Structure Number: 07949C009 00241.] Nationalbridges.com. Retrieved on May 14 2008.] Designed by William A. Bugee, construction of the cantilever truss bridge was completed by the DeLong Corporation, the American Bridge Company, and Pomeroy Gerwick. [ [http://en.structurae.de/structures/data/index.cfm?ID=s0000548 Astoria Bridge.] Structurae. Retrieved on May 14 2008.]

Pedestrians are prohibited from the bridge [ [http://www.shipreport.net/shipwatching.html Cool Ship Watching Spots On the Lower Columbia] ] except during the annual bridge walk called the "Great Columbia Crossing". [ [http://www.passport2oregon.com/cat_index_186.html passport2oregon.com: Astoria] ] Bicycles are permitted on the bridge in both Oregon [Oregon Department of Transportation: [http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/BIKEPED/maps.shtml Oregon Coast Bike Route] ] and Washington. [Washington State Department of Transportation: [http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/bike/Closed_Routes.htm State Highways Sections Closed to Bicycles] ]

References

External links

* [http://funbeach.com/attractions/bridge/ funbeach.com: Astoria-Megler Bridge]
* [http://www.oldoregon.com/visitor-info/entry/astoria-megler-bridge/ oldoregon.com: Astoria-Megler Bridge]
* [http://www.uoregon.edu/photo_archives/2002gallery/pages/astor_mouth_02.html uoregon.edu: Astoria-Megler Bridge]

Crossings navbox
structure = Crossings
place = Columbia River
bridge = Astoria-Megler Bridge
bridge signs =
upstream = Wahkiakum County Ferry
upstream signs =
downstream = Pacific Ocean
downstream signs =