Steel Bridge, Spanning Willamette River at State Route 99, Portland, Multnomah County, OR

Significance: An early example of the Waddell-type vertical lift bridge, the Steel Bridge documents that, guided by Harrington, most features of the type achieved "standard" form by 1912. It also demonstrates Waddell & Harrington's virtuosity in developing the bridge type's rich potential: its lower, railroad deck may be lifted independently, telescoping into the trusses above, or both decks may be lifted together, a unique combination. Combined with its great weight and massive members, these features made it an essential case in subsequent engineering discussions.

Unprocessed Field note material exists for this structure: FN-8

Unprocessed Field note material exists for this structure: N871

Survey number: HAER OR-21

Building/structure dates: 1910-1912 Initial Construction

vehicular bridges railroad bridges vertical lift bridges multnomah county steel bridge steel bridge willamette willamette river state route portland multnomah oregon american bridge company bennett historic american engineering record judith a mcgaw james norman kristen o connell oregon department of transportation oregon washington railroad and navigation company robert wakefield and company leslie schwab union bridge and construction company union pacific and southern pacific waddell and harrington photo ultra high resolution high resolution united states history cityscape library of congress

1969 - 1980

Library of Congress

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