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Columbia River Bridge (Wenatchee, Washington) facts for kids

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Columbia River Bridge
Columbia River Bridge.JPG
Coordinates 47°24′53″N 120°17′50″W / 47.41461°N 120.29719°W / 47.41461; -120.29719 (Columbia River Bridge)
Crosses Columbia River
Locale East Wenatchee, Washington / West Wenatchee, Washington
Maintained by Wenatchee Reclamation District, State of Washington
Characteristics
Design Pin-connected cantilever through truss
Total length 1,600 feet (490 m)
Longest span 520 feet (160 m)
Clearance below 85 feet (26 m)
History
Opened 1908
Replaces Ferry
Nearest city Wenatchee, Washington
Area less than one acre
Built by Washington Bridge Company
MPS Historic Bridges/Tunnels in Washington State TR
NRHP reference No. 82004198
Added to NRHP July 16, 1982

The Columbia River Bridge at Wenatchee, Washington, also known as the Old Wenatchee Bridge, was built by the Washington Bridge Company in 1908, primarily as a means to carry irrigation water pipelines across the Columbia River. It was the first road bridge over the Columbia south of Canada. The bridge is a pin-connected cantilever truss, 1,600 feet (490 m) long, with one 200-foot (61 m) Pratt truss between two 160-foot (49 m) cantilever arms, with 240-foot (73 m) side arms and a 60 feet (18 m) girder span. The bridge was purchased by the Washington highway department for $182,000 for highway use. As originally built, the bridge carried a 20.5-foot (6.2 m) wide timber roadway, with additional ability to carry a street railway. However, the east approach to the bridge was built at a 6% grade, limiting its potential.

The bridge was replaced in 1950 by the Senator George Sellar Bridge. The next year the Wenatchee Reclamation District bought the bridge for $1.00, moving the pipes from outside the truss to within. The bridge was opened to foot traffic. In 2007 concerns were raised about the bridge's ability to sustain foot traffic. Repairs were made in 2010.

The bridge currently carries pedestrian and bicycle traffic as part of the Apple Capital Recreation Loop Trail. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 16, 1982.

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