The Bridge Of The Gods Size report
The Columbia River Gorge is the watershed between Oregon and Washington and is famous for its high-density waterfalls along the coast. Constructed in 1926, the Bridge of the Gods over the Columbia River Gorge allows pedestrian, bicycle, and car traversal between Oregon and Washington state across the Columbia River.
The name of the current steel bridge comes from a pre-existing ancient land bridge called the "Bridge of the Gods" for the First Nations of the region. Earlier bridges were formed by avalanches that were eventually destroyed by natural disasters.
The Bridge of the Gods now connects interstate I-84 and Washington state highway SR-14 from Cascade Locks, OR, to slightly east of Bonneville, WA. Approximately 1.6 million vehicles cross the bridge annually, and about 35 million dollars in goods flow across the bridge annually. Let's find out the details about the size and structure of the bridge here.
Size And Structure of The Bridge of The Gods
This modern bridge was built in 1926 by the Werner Toll Bridge Company. The current bridge, built with a steel-truss cantilever structure, is essentially three bridges in one with a two-lane and open to cars, bicycles, and pedestrians. The bridge was built at 344 meters (1,127 feet), then it was raised by 44 feet in 1938 and extended to its current length to accommodate the rising pool behind the Bonneville Dam, just a few miles downstream on the Columbia River. The tolled bridge was acquired by the Port of Cascade Locks, which currently owns and operates the bridge. The Bridge of the Gods forms part of the Pacific Crest Trails.
Dimensions of The Bridge of The Gods
The overall length of the Bridge of The Gods is 565 meters (1,858 feet), with a width of 10.5 meters (35 feet). Its main span is about 215 meters (706 feet). The bridge deck is 43 meters (131 feet) above the river.
| Quick Facts | Size |
|---|---|
| Original Length | 344 m (1,127 ft) |
| Current Length | 565 m (1,858 ft) |
| Width | 10.5 m (35 ft) |
| Longest Span | 215 m (706 ft) |
| Clearance below | 43 m (131 ft) |
Final Words
Under the action of violent flooding, the Columbia River Gorge was formed. Early visionary visionaries carved an inspiring road along its towering cliffs as America's first scenic highway and a National Historic Landmark. The Bridge of the Gods is a must-have attraction located at Columbia River Gorge, nearly three miles upstream of Bonneville Dam and just downstream of the historic canal and locks at Cascade Locks. The bridge is an important part of Washington and Oregon's economic development at this Columbia River crossing. Currently, the Bridge of the Gods is a toll bridge allowing motor and foot traffic.
