Grand Coulee Bridge

The Grand Coulee Bridge, or Columbia River Bridge at Grand Coulee Dam,[3] is a steel thru cantilever truss bridge built in 1934–1935. It carries Washington State Route 155 across the Columbia River immediately below Grand Coulee Dam, near the city of Grand Coulee, Washington. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.[4]

Grand Coulee Dam
Coordinates47°57′56″N 118°58′56″W
Carries SR 155
CrossesColumbia River
Characteristics
DesignThrough cantilever truss
MaterialConcrete and Steel
Total length1,089 ft (331.9 m)[1]
Longest span565 ft (172.2 m)
History
Opened1935
Grand Coulee Dam
LocationSpans Columbia River, Grand Coulee, Washington
Built1934 (1934)–1935 (1935)
ArchitectWashington Department of Highways
MPSHistoric Bridges/Tunnels in Washington State TR
NRHP reference No.82004267[2]
Added to NRHPJuly 16, 1982

The bridge was built to transport heavy equipment across the Columbia river during the construction of the dam, and thereafter as a permanent highway bridge. As such, it was designed to carry a heavier load than was typical. The bridge is supported by two concrete piers, about 150  ft high. During construction, one of the piers began to tilt, probably due to fine glacial material under the gravel. Additional supports were added as a temporary measure. It employed between 1000 and 1200 men. The piers were later taken down to the bedrock using pneumatic caissons.[4]

References
  1. "Bridge List M 23-09" (PDF). Washington State Department of Transportation. June 2011. p. 253. Retrieved March 13, 2013.
  2. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  3. Columbia River Bridge at Grand Coulee Dam, Historic Bridges, WSDOT
  4. Lisa Soderberg (April 1984). "HAER Inventory - Grand Coulee Bridge" (PDF). Historic American Engineering Record and National Park Service. Retrieved January 21, 2016. Accompanying two photos.


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