Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Hood River #28: Hood River Bridge

IMG_6671 Hood River Bridge in Hood River, Oregon on June 10, 2009
Hood River Bridge on June 10, 2009

The Hood River Bridge is the second oldest road bridge across the Columbia River, after the northbound span of the Interstate Bridge that now carries Interstate 5 between Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington.

IMG_6727 Hood River Bridge in Hood River, Oregon on June 10, 2009
Hood River Bridge on June 10, 2009

The bridge was built by the Oregon-Washington Bridge Company and opened on December 9, 1924. Its original name was the Waucoma Interstate Bridge, and it was a fixed span, not a draw bridge like it is today.

IMG_6728 Hood River Bridge in Hood River, Oregon on June 10, 2009
Hood River Bridge on June 10, 2009

The bridge was altered in 1938 due to the higher river levels resulting from the construction of the Bonneville Dam, and the main span became a vertical lift span at that time to provide clearance for river traffic with the new water level.

IMG_6732 Hood River Bridge in Hood River, Oregon on June 10, 2009
Hood River Bridge on June 10, 2009

The total length of the bridge is 4,418 feet. The main span is 262 feet long with 246 feet of clearance. There is 67 feet of vertical clearance under the main span when the bridge is closed and 148 feet when it is open.

IMG_6740 Hood River Bridge in Hood River, Oregon on June 10, 2009
Hood River Bridge on June 10, 2009

The Port of Hood River purchased the bridge on December 12, 1950 for $800,000. The bridge is maintained through the collection of tolls.

IMG_6733 Hood River Bridge in Hood River, Oregon on June 10, 2009
Hood River Bridge on June 10, 2009

Historical Photos:
Waucoma Interstate Bridge from Washington, pre-1938 (UO)
Waucoma Interstate Bridge from Washington, pre-‘38(CGDC)
Waucoma Interstate Bridge from Oregon, pre-1938 (CGDC)

IMG_6738 Hood River Bridge in Hood River, Oregon on June 10, 2009
Hood River Bridge on June 10, 2009

Continue to 29: Kelly Brothers Hardware

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