Wikipedia: Sam Hill Memorial Bridge

The Sam Hill Memorial Bridge, also known as the Biggs Rapids Bridge, is a steel truss bridge in the northwest United States that carries U.S. Route 97 (US 97) across the Columbia River between Biggs Junction in Sherman County, Oregon, and Maryhill in Klickitat County, Washington. It was named in honor of the early bridge proponent Sam Hill, the builder of the nearby Maryhill Museum of Art.

Construction on the Biggs Rapids Bridge began on October 3, 1960, and was funded by the Washington State Toll Bridge Authority. It is 2,567 feet (782 m) long, including a 341-foot (104 m) main truss span, and weighs 3,595,000 pounds (1,631,000 kg). The bridge cost $2.4 million to construct and was dedicated in honor of Sam Hill during its opening ceremonies on November 1, 1962. It was initially a toll bridge charging $1 per vehicle, but the tolls were removed in February 1975.

The bridge was closed during part of 2007–2008 in order to complete repairs to the deck. Originally the Washington State Department of Transportation planned to replace the entire deck in 2010, but accelerated the project due to rapidly deteriorating roadway. By March 2009 the project was finished at a total cost of project $16 million, split evenly between Oregon and Washington. It included replacing the deck with concrete, installing new railing, improving the drainage systems, and replacing the existing lighting. The new deck is expected to last 25 years.

"The 'Sam Hill Memorial Bridge' (U.S. Highway 97) is also known as the 'Biggs Rapid Bridge'. It connects Biggs Junction, Oregon, with Maryhill, Washington. The Washington State Department of Transportation owns and maintains the bridge. The 'Biggs Rapid Bridge' is located 13.6 miles above The Dalles Dam, and has a clearance of 88 feet at the center of the fixed highway span. The bridge consists of 12 spans of welded plate girders and main span. Bridge length is 2,567 feet and 2 inches, with a 26 foot deck width. The bridge was the dream of entrepreneur Sam Hill, and on November 1, 1962, was dedicated as the 'Sam Hill Memorial Bridge.' The bridge was a toll bridge when first constructed."

Priscilla Long, HistoryLink.org: Biggs Rapids/Sam Hill Memorial Bridge, spanning the Columbia at Maryhill, opens on November 1, 1962

On November 1, 1962, the Biggs Rapids/Sam Hill Memorial Bridge carrying U.S. 97 over the Columbia River at Maryhill, opens to traffic. The bridge replaces a ferry that had run between Biggs Rapids, just south of Goldendale, and Biggs Junction, Oregon, since the early 1920s. The Sam Hill Memorial Bridge is one of 25 highway bridges (excluding railway bridges and an old footbridge) that today (2006) cross the Columbia.

On opening day, Washington Governor Al Rosellini (1910-2011), Oregon Governor Mark Hatfield (1922-2011), and highway officials from both states cut the ribbon on the Oregon side and then had lunch at the Maryhill Museum.

BridgeHunter.com: Sam Hill Memorial Bridge

Overview

Through truss bridge over Columbia River on US 97

Location

Biggs, Sherman County, Oregon, and Klickitat County, Washington

Status

Open to traffic

History

Built 1962, Deck and rail replacement 2008

Builders

- Charles E. Andrew (Bridge Engineer)

- Mowat Construction Co. of Woodinville, Washington (Deck Rehabilitation Contractor)

- Paul Jarvis Inc. (Contractor)

Design

Polygonal Warren through truss

Dimensions

Length of largest span: 339.9 ft.

Total length: 2,567.1 ft. (0.5 mi.)

Deck width: 25.9 ft.

Vertical clearance above deck: 15.9 ft.

Also called

Biggs Rapids Bridge

Photo Currently Unavailable

Video (By Others...)

Links

New bridge spanning Columbia River honors region's pioneer roadbuilder

Bend Bulletin. November 2, 1962. p. 4.

https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=fTpYAAAAIBAJ&pg=4804%2C3465065

New span opened

The Spokesman-Review. Associated Press. November 2, 1962. p. 6A.

https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=nG0pAAAAIBAJ&pg=7086%2C640279

ColumbiaRiverImages.com: Sam Hill Memorial Bridge / Maryhill to Biggs Ferry

http://columbiariverimages.com/Regions/Places/sam_hill_memorial_bridge.html

CLICK HERE to continue exploring Biggs Junction

CLICK HERE to continue exploring Maryhill