Big Creek Bridge (California)

The Big Creek Bridge is a 589-foot (180 m)-long, open spandrel, concrete deck arch bridge located on the southern portion of the Big Sur coast of California, along State Route 1 near Lucia. Opened for traffic in 1938, it crosses Big Creek Canyon on this scenic, mountainous coast.

Big Creek Bridge
Big Creek Bridge
Coordinates36°04′12″N 121°36′01″W
Carries SR 1
CrossesBig Creek Canyon
LocaleLucia, Big Sur
Monterey County, California
Official nameBig Creek Bridge
Maintained byCalifornia Department of Transportation
Characteristics
DesignOpen spandrel concrete arch
Total length589 feet (180 m)
Width24 feet (7 m)
Longest span178 feet (54 m)
Clearance below65 feet (20 m)
History
Opened1938

History

Constructed during the Great Depression and identified by Caltrans as Bridge No. 44 0056, it was opened for traffic in 1938 (some sources give this figure as 1937).[1] Its construction was partially funded by the federal government in connection with the Works Progress Administration. Situated high above Big Creek canyon, this bridge has remained open while many others on the Pacific Coast Highway have been closed due to mud slides. There are parking areas at both ends of the bridge to allow motorists to stop and take photographs. [2]

Design and construction

Its two main spans are open spandrel arches, each 178 feet (54 m) long, while the 116-foot (35 m)-long side arches are cantilevered to the canyon walls. The 24-foot (7.3 m)-wide bridge deck provides for two lanes of traffic and is 65 feet (20 m) above the ground below. Christian Theophil Gutleben,[3] noted for his reinforced concrete arch bridges throughout the California coast and in the Los Angeles area, was the designer. The structure got a seismic retrofit in 1999.[4]

Close-up aerial view of the Big Creek Bridge
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References
  1. "CalTrans Bridge Log" (PDF). Dot.ca.gov. Retrieved 2018-09-03.
  2. "Big Creek Bridge Parking". CaliforniaBeaches.com. Retrieved 2018-09-03.
  3. "Christian T. Gutleben Biography". Snaccooperative.org. Retrieved 2018-09-03.
  4. "Structurae Bridge Data". Structurae.com. Retrieved 2018-09-03.
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