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Saturday, February 7, 2015

Willamette River Bridges: Fremont Bridge

IMG_6474 Fremont Bridge in Portland, Oregon on May 22, 2007
Fremont Bridge on May 22, 2007

The double-deck Fremont Bridge has the longest main span of any bridge in Oregon. Each of the two levels has four lanes. It is the second longest tied arch bridge in the world, after the Caiyuanba Bridge over the Yangtze River in China which opened on October 29, 2007.

IMG_8546 View of Fremont Bridge from the Portland Aerial Tram in Portland, Oregon on August 19, 2007
View showing Fremont Bridge on August 19, 2007

The main arch span was constructed in California and assembled on Swan Island, 1.7 miles downstream, and floated into place on a barge. On March 16, 1973, the 6,000 ton steel arch span was lifted 170 feet with 32 hydraulic jacks. The Guinness Book of World Records listed it as the heaviest lift ever completed. It was supervised by bridge engineer Ed Wortman.

IMG_6972 Fremont Bridge in Portland, Oregon on June 10, 2007
Fremont Bridge on June 10, 2007

The bridge opened on November 11, 1973. The flags on top of the arch were added in 1976; the flags measure 15 by 25 feet and are on 50 foot poles. Though it is hard to tell, the Fremont Bridge is painted a very pale Celery Green.

IMG_6973 Fremont Bridge in Portland, Oregon on June 10, 2007
Fremont Bridge on June 10, 2007

The Fremont Bridge is named for John Charles Frémont, who was a Military Governor of California, one of the first two United States Senators from California, the first Republican Presidential candidate and the first candidate of a major party to run on a platform opposing slavery, a Civil War General and a Governor of the Arizona Territory.

IMG_6974 Fremont Bridge in Portland, Oregon on June 10, 2007
Fremont Bridge on June 10, 2007

Bridge Type: Double-deck Tied Arch Bridge
Opened: November 11, 1973
Designed by: Oregon Department of Transportation
Parsons Brinckerhoff, Inc.
Portland Art Commission
Federal Highway Administration
Total Length: 2,154 feet
Main Span Length: 1,255 feet
Vertical Clearance: 175 feet
Construction Cost: $82 million
Carries: Interstate 405/U.S. Highway 30
Owned by: Oregon Department of Transportation
Color: Celery Green

IMG_7848 Fremont Bridge in Portland, Oregon on September 14, 2010
Fremont Bridge on September 14, 2010

Historical Photos:
Fremont Bridge arch construction, 1973 (Portland Auditor's Office)
Fremont Bridge under construction (Oregon Historical Society)
Fremont Bridge construction in 1973 (Portland Auditor's Office)
Fremont Bridge (Oregon Historical Society)
Aerial View showing Fremont Bridge, June 1, 1988 (Wikipedia)

IMG_7850 Fremont Bridge in Portland, Oregon on September 14, 2010
Fremont Bridge on September 14, 2010

Continue to BNSF Railway Bridge 5.1

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