Alsea Bay Bridge
Encyclopedia
The Alsea Bay Bridge is a concrete arch bridge
that spans the Alsea Bay on U.S. Route 101 near Waldport, Oregon
.
The first bridge was designed by Conde McCullough
and opened in 1936. It was a 3011 feet (917.8 m) long, reinforced-concrete combination deck and through arch bridge
built in 1936.
The hostile environment caused significant corrosion to the steel reinforcements. In 1972 the Oregon Department of Transportation began projects aimed at extending the life of the bridge. By the mid 1980s it was decided to replace the bridge rather than continuing costly rehabilitation efforts. The first bridge was demolished in 1991.
Construction of the second bridge, designed by HNTB
, began in 1988, and it was opened in the fall of 1991 at a cost of $42.4 million. The bridge is 2910 ft (887 m) in total length, with a 450 ft (137.2 m) main span that provides 70 ft (21.3 m). of vertical clearance. The bridge has a latex concrete deck and the piers are significantly thicker than normal in an attempt to thwart corrosion. Its life expectancy is 75 to 100 years.
Arch bridge
An arch bridge is a bridge with abutments at each end shaped as a curved arch. Arch bridges work by transferring the weight of the bridge and its loads partially into a horizontal thrust restrained by the abutments at either side...
that spans the Alsea Bay on U.S. Route 101 near Waldport, Oregon
Waldport, Oregon
Waldport is a city in Lincoln County, Oregon, United States. The population was 2,050 at the 2000 census. The city is located on the Alsea River and Alsea Bay, south of Newport and north of Yachats.-Geography:...
.
History
There have been two bridges on this site.The first bridge was designed by Conde McCullough
Conde McCullough
Conde Balcom McCullough was a U.S. bridge engineer who is primarily known for designing many of Oregon's coastal bridges on U.S. Route 101. The native of South Dakota worked for the Oregon Department of Transportation from 1919 to 1935 and 1937 until 1946...
and opened in 1936. It was a 3011 feet (917.8 m) long, reinforced-concrete combination deck and through arch bridge
Arch bridge
An arch bridge is a bridge with abutments at each end shaped as a curved arch. Arch bridges work by transferring the weight of the bridge and its loads partially into a horizontal thrust restrained by the abutments at either side...
built in 1936.
The hostile environment caused significant corrosion to the steel reinforcements. In 1972 the Oregon Department of Transportation began projects aimed at extending the life of the bridge. By the mid 1980s it was decided to replace the bridge rather than continuing costly rehabilitation efforts. The first bridge was demolished in 1991.
Construction of the second bridge, designed by HNTB
HNTB
HNTB Corporation is an architecture and engineering consulting firm headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri that has designed many bridges, roadways, airports and professional sports stadiums across the United States and around the world.The firm started in 1914 as Harrington, Howard & Ash...
, began in 1988, and it was opened in the fall of 1991 at a cost of $42.4 million. The bridge is 2910 ft (887 m) in total length, with a 450 ft (137.2 m) main span that provides 70 ft (21.3 m). of vertical clearance. The bridge has a latex concrete deck and the piers are significantly thicker than normal in an attempt to thwart corrosion. Its life expectancy is 75 to 100 years.
External links
- Photos
- Alsea Bay Bridge Interpretive Center
- Survey number HAER OR-14 – Old Alsea Bay Bridge, Spanning Alsea Bay at Oregon Coast Highway, Waldport, Lincoln County, OR
- Alsea Bay Bridge Photo Gallery