Conde McCullough Memorial Bridge
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Coos Bay Bridge | |
Official name | Conde B. McCullough Memorial Bridge |
---|---|
Crosses | Coos Bay |
Locale | North Bend, Oregon |
Maintained by | Oregon DOT |
Design | Cantilever through-truss |
Longest span | 793 ft |
Total length | 5,305 ft (1.6 km) |
Clearance below | 150 ft |
Opening date | 1936 |
|
The Conde B. McCullough Memorial Bridge, formerly the Coos Bay Bridge, is a cantilever bridge that spans Coos Bay near North Bend, Oregon.
When the bridge was completed in 1936 it was the longest bridge in Oregon.[1]. It was dedicated to the designer, Conde McCullough, in 1947. Because of the long distances and heavily trafficked shipping channel, a cantilever construction was deemed necessary. McCullough's focus on architectural beauty is evident even in the typically unpleasant appearance of cantilever bridges.
The 793 ft (242 m) main span has 150 ft (46 m) of vertical clearance and is part of a 1708 ft (521 m) long steel cantilever span. The rest of the bridge is composed of concrete arches more typical of McCullough's designs. The total cost of the bridge was $2,143,400.[2]
Today, the bridge is the official symbol of the City of North Bend, Oregon.
[edit] References
- ^ Smith, Dwight A.; Norman, James B.; Dykman, Pieter T. (1989). Historic Highway Bridges of Oregon. Oregon Historical Society Press, 82. ISBN 0-87595-205-4.
- ^ Hadlow, Robert W. (2001). Elegant Arches, Soaring Spans: C.B. McCullough, Oregon's Master Bridge Builder. Oregon State University Press, 106-109. ISBN 0-87071-534-8.