Curlew Bridge
Encyclopedia
The Curlew Bridge is a one lane pin-connected Parker Truss
bridge located in Curlew, Washington
which spans the Kettle River
just downstream from the point where the river turns north.
crossing by the native tribes of the area, a cable ferry
was built in 1897 and washed away in the floods of 1898. To replace the ferry a "Corduroy" bridge
constructed from logs was erected in 1901. When the log bridge was destroyed by flood
ing bids were taken to replace the bridge in 1907, and the contract awarded to William Oliver
for $7,975 and construction was completed in 1908. This was the 165 bridge built by William Oliver.
. Each part was inspected and repaired or replaced, including sandblasting all the parts and the replacement of the wooden stringers
underneath the bridge to increase the load capacity. The parts were then transported back to Curlew on 3 semi-trailer
s and reassembled. The bridge was officially reopened on February 14, 2007.
Truss bridge
A truss bridge is a bridge composed of connected elements which may be stressed from tension, compression, or sometimes both in response to dynamic loads. Truss bridges are one of the oldest types of modern bridges...
bridge located in Curlew, Washington
Curlew, Washington
Curlew is an unincorporated community located in northwestern Ferry County, Washington, United States, between Malo and Danville on State Route 21. The BNSF Railway ran through the town. The historic Ansorge Hotel is located in Curlew.-Geography:...
which spans the Kettle River
Kettle River (Columbia River)
The Kettle River is a tributary of the Columbia River in northeastern Washington in the United States and southeastern British Columbia in Canada. Its drainage basin is large, of which are in Canada and in the United States.-Course:...
just downstream from the point where the river turns north.
Original Construction
This is the second bridge to span the Kettle River at this spot. Originally used for a ferryFerry
A ferry is a form of transportation, usually a boat, but sometimes a ship, used to carry primarily passengers, and sometimes vehicles and cargo as well, across a body of water. Most ferries operate on regular, frequent, return services...
crossing by the native tribes of the area, a cable ferry
Cable ferry
A cable ferry is guided and in many cases propelled across a river or other larger body of water by cables connected to both shores. They are also called chain ferries, floating bridges, or punts....
was built in 1897 and washed away in the floods of 1898. To replace the ferry a "Corduroy" bridge
Log bridge
A log bridge is a bridge that uses logs that fall naturally or are intentionally felled or placed across streams. The first manmade bridges with significant span were probably intentionally felled trees. The use of emplaced logs is now sometimes used in temporary bridges used for logging roads,...
constructed from logs was erected in 1901. When the log bridge was destroyed by flood
Flood
A flood is an overflow of an expanse of water that submerges land. The EU Floods directive defines a flood as a temporary covering by water of land not normally covered by water...
ing bids were taken to replace the bridge in 1907, and the contract awarded to William Oliver
William Oliver
William Oliver may refer to:*William Bacon Oliver, American congressman*William M. Oliver, American lawyer and politician*William Oliver , English footballer*William Oliver , inventor of the Bath Oliver biscuit...
for $7,975 and construction was completed in 1908. This was the 165 bridge built by William Oliver.
Refurbishment
General maintenance over the years involved painting of the bridge in 1935 and complete replacement of the wooden bridge deck several times. A general maintenance inspection in June 2004 revealed that several of the pins in the bridge were showing extreme wear and the bridge was closed to all but foot-traffic. Several options for replacement of the bridge were discussed, but discarded due to the poor reception by the community. Removal of the bridge was also considered and discarded due to by overwhelming community sentiment for saving the bridge. The county applied for funds to rehabilitate the bridge in August 2004 and received funds in September 2004. Bids for the rehabilitation were taken and the job awarded to Wesslen Construction for $1,446,567. Work began in June 2006 with the bridge being entirely dismantled and transported to SpokaneSpokane, Washington
Spokane is a city located in the Northwestern United States in the state of Washington. It is the largest city of Spokane County of which it is also the county seat, and the metropolitan center of the Inland Northwest region...
. Each part was inspected and repaired or replaced, including sandblasting all the parts and the replacement of the wooden stringers
Stringer
Stringer may refer to:* Stringer , a type of freelance journalism* Stringer * Stringer , or longeron, a strip of wood or metal to which the skin of an aircraft is fastened...
underneath the bridge to increase the load capacity. The parts were then transported back to Curlew on 3 semi-trailer
Semi-trailer
A semi-trailer is a trailer without a front axle. A large proportion of its weight is supported by a road tractor, a detachable front axle assembly known as a dolly, or the tail of another trailer...
s and reassembled. The bridge was officially reopened on February 14, 2007.
External links
- Curlew Bridge, National Register of Historic Places