Nutty Narrows Bridge

The Nutty Narrows Bridge is a squirrel bridge in Longview, Washington. It has the title of the "World's Narrowest Bridge" and also the "World's Narrowest Animal Crossing." The Nutty Narrows was named by a local councilwoman after the Tacoma Narrows Bridge.[2]

Nutty Narrows Bridge
Coordinates46.141469°N 122.940494°W / 46.141469; -122.940494
CarriesSquirrels
CrossesOlympia Way
LocaleLongview, WA
Characteristics
DesignStressed ribbon bridge in imitation of a Suspension Bridge
Materialfire hose and unknown metals
Total length60 feet
History
DesignerAmos Peters, Robert Newhall, and LeRoy Dahl
Constructed byAmos Peters
Construction end1963[1]
Opened1963
Nutty Narrows Bridge
LocationLongview, Washington, spanning Olympia Way between 18th Avenue and Maple Street
NRHP reference No.14000500
Added to NRHPAugust 18, 2014

History

Before the bridge was built, squirrels had to avoid speeding traffic by running across the street to eat a nutty feast at an office building and back again to a park with large trees.[1]

On March 19, 1963, Amos Peters, after seeing many squirrels being flattened, decided to protect squirrels and give them a way to cross a busy thoroughfare without getting killed by passing cars. The original sky-bridge was built over Olympia Way near the Civic Center in downtown Longview.

A close-up of the bridge deck with sign

Designed to look like a mini-suspension bridge, the 60-foot-long (18 m) span and made of an aluminum piping covered with a retired firehose to create the roadway. The total cost for the bridge was $1000.

In 1983, Peters took down the bridge for repairs. Crosspieces were replaced and the faded sign was repainted. Upon its completion, the bridge was re-dedicated with special guests Chip 'n' Dale and Mickey Mouse from Disneyland. Also in attendance were 300 children and local dignitaries.[3]

Upon Peters' death in 1984, a ten-foot wooden squirrel sculpture was placed near the bridge in his memory.

Today

The anchor trees supporting the bridge were growing old and beginning to rot; so in 2007, the bridge was moved 100 yards east, connecting R.A. Long Park at the Civic Center to the Longview Public Library over Olympia Way.[3] It was moved again in 2010, after it was determined to be a traffic hazard. Its current location is now "three trees from its original spot over Olympia Way".[4] On July 25, 2013 the Longview City Council voted to place the Nutty Narrows Bridge on the Longview Register of Historic Places.[5] It is also listed on the Washington Heritage Register, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2014.[6] Two more bridges have been added to keep the squirrels safe. One is on Kessler Blvd. and the other is on Nichols Blvd.

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See also

References
  1. "The Nutty Narrows Bridge - City of Longview". Archived from the original on April 13, 2013. Retrieved April 22, 2012.
  2. "Kelso / Longview Washington". Archived from the original on September 26, 2010. Retrieved March 2, 2010.
  3. "Nutty Narrows Bridge opens in Longview on March 19, 1963". August 16, 2007. Retrieved March 2, 2010.
  4. A History of the Nutty Narrows; The Daily News, June 5, 2011, pg A4
  5. City Council minutes of July 25, 2013.
  6. National Park Service (November 28, 2014), Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 11/17/14 through 11/21/14, retrieved November 26, 2014.
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