In addition to its many natural wonders, Oregon is also home to quite a few man-made landmarks, including several stunning bridges. The Astoria-Megler bridge is not only an icon in the Beaver State, but it’s the longest continuous truss bridge in all of North America! Keep reading to learn more about this beautiful man-made wonder.
The Astoria-Megler Bridge opened for traffic on July 29, 1966, and it was hailed as a huge accomplishment.
arianstevens/iStock via Getty Images Not only was it the longest continuous truss bridge in North America, but it also completed the connection from Los Angeles all the way up the coast to Olympia, Washington on U.S. Highway 101.
It took 30 years to get the project started, after the original proposal in the 1930s.
TerryJLawrence/iStock via Getty Images Long before the bridge existed, a ferry shuttled cars back and forth between Astoria and Megler. It was slow, and only operated when the weather was good. By the 1930s, there was talk of building a bridge, but it was two decades after that before the project was seriously considered.
In 1959, the Oregon State Legislature approved a bridge, but it took some collaboration with the state of Washington to make it happen, and an agreement wasn’t easily reached.
Carmen Martinez Torron/Moment Collection via Getty Images Oregon legislators wanted Washington state to contribute half on the costs; Washington legislators felt that 25 percent was more appropriate, since they didn’t feel like the bridge would benefit their state very much. Oregon wanted a toll bridge; Washington disagreed with the idea of a toll. Finally, both states came to an agreement and construction started in November, 1962. The bridge cost $24 million to build, and tolls helped cover the cost. They were collected until December 24, 1993.
The project was quite an undertaking. The steel structure of the bridge was built in Vancouver, Washington. Massive sections of it were sent by barge down the Columbia River and lifted into place using huge, hydraulic jacks.
By Tony Owens, Oregon Department of Transportation/Wikimedia
The bridge has 171 piers in the water, and is 4.067 miles long. It can withstand winds of 150 mph, and currents of up to 9 mph.
By Ron Reiring/Wikimedia
Cars and bicycles are allowed on the bridge, but it’s not wide enough for pedestrians. It’s just 28 feet wide, with two lanes.
gmc3101/iStock via Getty Images Every year in October, the Great Columbia Crossing event brings thousands of people to the Astoria-Megler bridge. On that day, the bridge is closed to traffic, and pedestrians are allowed to walk (or run) all the way across and back.
The Astoria-Megler Bridge is such an icon that we can’t imagine Astoria without it! Million of people travel from Oregon to Washington and vice-versa across the bridge every year.
JPLDesigns/iStock/via Getty Images
TravelAnubhav/500px via Getty Images
Interested in checking out more of Oregon’s iconic bridges? This bridge has a cool legend, and this bridge is the tallest in the state. You can peer down into a deep ravine from this bridge, and you’ll be charmed by these 11 covered bridges.
arianstevens/iStock via Getty Images
Not only was it the longest continuous truss bridge in North America, but it also completed the connection from Los Angeles all the way up the coast to Olympia, Washington on U.S. Highway 101.
TerryJLawrence/iStock via Getty Images
Long before the bridge existed, a ferry shuttled cars back and forth between Astoria and Megler. It was slow, and only operated when the weather was good. By the 1930s, there was talk of building a bridge, but it was two decades after that before the project was seriously considered.
Carmen Martinez Torron/Moment Collection via Getty Images
Oregon legislators wanted Washington state to contribute half on the costs; Washington legislators felt that 25 percent was more appropriate, since they didn’t feel like the bridge would benefit their state very much. Oregon wanted a toll bridge; Washington disagreed with the idea of a toll. Finally, both states came to an agreement and construction started in November, 1962. The bridge cost $24 million to build, and tolls helped cover the cost. They were collected until December 24, 1993.
By Tony Owens, Oregon Department of Transportation/Wikimedia
By Ron Reiring/Wikimedia
gmc3101/iStock via Getty Images
Every year in October, the Great Columbia Crossing event brings thousands of people to the Astoria-Megler bridge. On that day, the bridge is closed to traffic, and pedestrians are allowed to walk (or run) all the way across and back.
JPLDesigns/iStock/via Getty Images
TravelAnubhav/500px via Getty Images
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Address: Astoria - Megler Bridge, Astoria, OR, USA
