Lewis and Clark Bridge - Definition and Overview

The Lewis and Clark Bridge

The Lewis and Clark Bridge is a cantilever bridge that spans the Columbia River between Longview, Washington and Rainier, Oregon.

The bridge was open on March 29, 1930 as a privately owned bridge named the Longview Bridge. The $5.8 million cost was recovered by tolls, $1.00 for cars and $.10 for pedestrians. At the time it was the longest and highest cantilever bridge in the United States. The state of Washington purchased the bridge in 1947 and the tolls were removed in 1965 after the bridge was paid for. In 1980 the bridge was rededicated as the Lewis and Clark Bridge in honor of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The deck was replaced in a 2003-2004 [project (http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/lewisclarkbridge/)] that cost $29.2 million.

The bridge is 8,289 ft. (2.5 km) long with 210 ft. (64 m) of vertical clearance. The main span is 1200 ft. (366 m) long and the top of the bridge is 340 ft. (104 m) above the river. It was designed by Joseph Strauss, engineer of the Golden Gate Bridge.

External links

• http://www.twrps.com/ccor/chronos.html
• http://www.washington.historylink.org/output.cfm?file_id=5411