Sunday, August 9, 2015

The Dalles #88: The Dalles Bridge

IMG_6574 The Dalles Bridge in The Dalles, Oregon on June 10, 2009
The Dalles Bridge on June 10, 2009

The first ferry service here across the Columbia River was in operation by 1854. Various people had tried to build support for construction of a bridge as far back as 1865.

IMG_6576 The Dalles Bridge in The Dalles, Oregon on June 10, 2009
The Dalles Bridge on June 10, 2009

The Oregon and Washington highway departments approved of the idea of a bridge in 1947. When Congress approved the planning of The Dalles Dam by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1951, the bridge became part of the plan.

IMG_6575 The Dalles Bridge in The Dalles, Oregon on June 10, 2009
The Dalles Bridge on June 10, 2009

The bridge was financed by bonds issued by Wasco County that would be repaid through bridge tolls. The bridge opened on December 18, 1953.

IMG_6582 The Dalles Bridge in The Dalles, Oregon on June 10, 2009
The Dalles Bridge on June 10, 2009

The bridge carries U.S. Highway 197 between The Dalles, Oregon and the community of Dallesport, Washington.

IMG_6591 The Dalles Bridge in The Dalles, Oregon on June 10, 2009
The Dalles Bridge on June 10, 2009

The bridge is 3,359 feet long, with the main subspans consisting of a riveted steel cantilever Warren truss bridge. It is one of two cantilever bridges built in Washington in the 1950s.

IMG_9627 The Dalles Bridge in The Dalles, Oregon on October 20, 2009
The Dalles Bridge on October 20, 2009

The bridge cost $2,400,000 which was paid off by tolls on the bridge until November 1, 1974.

IMG_6580 The Dalles Bridge Monument in The Dalles, Oregon on June 10, 2009
The Dalles Bridge Monument on June 10, 2009

At the approach to The Dalles Bridge on the Oregon side is a stone marker with a plaque commemorating the opening of the bridge. The test of the plaque reads as follows:

THIS SHAFT OF NATIVE STONE
COMMEMORATES
THE COMPLETION OF THE DALLES
BRIDGE
- - -
THIS IS A MONUMENT TO MANY THINGS…
TO THE DREAMS OF YESTERDAY
TO THE DEEDS OF TODAY
TO THE VISIONS OF TOMORROW

IT IS ALSO A MONUMENT TO THE FAITH, THE COURAGE,
THE PERSISTENT INDUSTRY OF WALLACE S. NELSON WHO,
IN THE FACE OF OBSTACLES SEEMINGLY INSURMOUNTABLE,
FORCED A DREAM TO COME TRUE.
- - -
THIS BRIDGE WAS DEDICATED BY
HON. PAUL PATTERSON,      GOVERNOR OF OREGON
AND
HON. ARTHUR B. LANGLIE,    GOVERNOR OF WASHINGTON
ON DECEMBER 18, 1953.

FINANCED AND BUILT BY WASCO COUNTY, OREGON
WARD R. WEBBER
COUNTY JUDGE

SIMON M. HIX          VERNON L. OBRIST
COMMISSIONERS

Related Links:
The Dalles Bridge at HistoryLink.org

Historical Photo:
The Dalles Bridge (CGDC)

Continue to 89: The Dalles Dam

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