Foggy Megler Bridge
by Robert Bales
Title
Foggy Megler Bridge
Artist
Robert Bales
Medium
Photograph - Photo
Description
The Astoria Megler Bridge is a steel cantilever through truss bridge that spans the Columbia River between Astoria, Oregon and Point Ellice near Megler, Washington, in the United States. Located 14 miles (23 km) from the mouth of the river, the bridge is 4.1 miles (6.6 km) long and was the last completed segment of U.S. Route 101 between Olympia, Washington, and Los Angeles, California. It is the longest continuous truss bridge in North America.
Ferry service between Astoria and the Washington side of the Columbia River began in 1926. The Oregon Department of Transportation purchased the ferry service in 1946. This ferry service did not operate during inclement weather and the half-hour travel time caused delays. In order to allow faster and more reliable crossings near the mouth of the river, a bridge was planned. The bridge was built jointly by the Oregon Department of Transportation and Washington State Department of Transportation.
Construction on the structure began on November 5, 1962. The concrete piers were cast at Tongue Point, 4 miles (6 km) upriver. The steel structure was built in segments at Vancouver, Washington, 90 miles (145 km) upriver, then barged downstream where hydraulic jacks lifted them into place. On August 27, 1966, with more than 30,000 people in attendance, Governors Mark Hatfield of Oregon and Dan Evans of Washington opened the bridge by cutting a ceremonial ribbon. The cost of the project was $24 million, equivalent to $172 million today, and was paid for by tolls that were removed on December 24, 1993, more than two years early.
Uploaded
March 9th, 2013
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Viewed 2,030 Times - Last Visitor from New York, NY on 04/11/2024 at 11:43 AM
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Comments (30)
Marvin Blaine
Fog at the end of the bridge intrigues me Robert! Exceptional piece! L/F!
Robert Bales replied:
Thanks, Mavin for the comment, and fog sure gives an image a special effect! Thanks for the LF!
Cathy Anderson
Congratulations your wonderful image has been featured on the homepage of Anything Architecture Buildings and Bridges! Please archive your image on the discussion board!
Debra Martz
Love this!!!! Misty, moody and mysterious! LF
Robert Bales replied:
Fog seems like it does wonders to an image. thanks for the comment and the LF!! So glad you enjoyed the photo!
Kay Brewer
A lovely photograph of this ethereal scene, Robert! Congratulations on your lovely art reaching over 500 views! l/f
Yuri Lev
They don't make bridges like this anymore, or wonderful black and white images such as this one. F/L
Robert Bales replied:
Thanks Yuri for the very nice comments and the FL!! It sure is a great bridge. I grew up a few miles from it.
Marian Voicu
OMG! This is stunning!
Robert Bales replied:
Thanks so much Marian!!! It sure is a great bridge!! Sorry about being late, bu t it took me a week to return to our summer house in Emmett, Idaho.
Thomas Woolworth
Photography is all about capturing moments in time. Congrats on capturing this Natural moment.
Karen Camilleri
I feel this could be in the National Geographic mag it's beautifully captured Robert !! f/v