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Physical
Lewis and Clark Bridge
A cantilever bridge that carries traffic across the Columbia River between Longview, Washington, and Rainier, Oregon.
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The idea
The Lewis and Clark Bridge is a cantilever bridge that spans the Columbia River between Longview, Washington, and Rainier, Oregon. In a cantilever bridge, long arms reach out from strong supports and meet over the middle of the span. Because the lower Columbia is so wide, very few bridges cross its western part. This is the only bridge over the Columbia between Astoria and Portland, a stretch of about 90 miles.
The bridge opened on March 29, 1930, as a privately owned bridge called the Longview Bridge. It was designed by Joseph Strauss, the engineer of the Golden Gate Bridge. At the time, it was the longest and highest cantilever bridge in the United States. It cost $5.8 million, and tolls of $1.00 for cars and $0.10 for pedestrians paid that money back.
The whole bridge is 2,722 feet long, and its main span stretches 1,200 feet. Its top rises 340 feet above the river, and it has 210 feet of vertical clearance. Until the Astoria-Megler Bridge was completed in 1966, it was the only bridge over the Columbia west of Portland. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places under its original name, the Longview Bridge.
Check yourself
Question 1 of 3
What type of bridge is the Lewis and Clark Bridge?
Composition
what it's made of
- Main span — The central cantilever span, 1,200 feet long, which crosses the river channel.
- Full length — Counting its approaches, the bridge is 2,722 feet long.
- Vertical clearance — The bridge leaves 210 feet of vertical clearance, and its top is 340 feet above the river.
- Deck — The road surface, which was replaced at a cost of $29.2 million.
- End points — Longview, Washington, on the north bank and Rainier, Oregon, on the south bank.
Connection
how it relates
Change
how and why it evolves
- Past
- Washington bought the bridge in 1947 and removed the tolls in 1965, once it was paid for. In 1980 it was rededicated as the Lewis and Clark Bridge, and in 1982 it joined the National Register of Historic Places.
- Now
- The bridge was closed for four days in July 2023 to replace a floor beam and install new finger joints. During the closure, the Wahkiakum County Ferry served as a detour for priority traffic.
- Next
- A 1990 study for the Washington State Legislature recommended building a second bridge to handle future traffic. Until another crossing exists, the old bridge will probably keep needing regular repairs.