Sam Hill Memorial Bridge
Encyclopedia
The Sam Hill Memorial Bridge, also known as the Biggs Rapids Bridge, is a steel truss bridge
that carries U.S. Highway 97 across the Columbia River
between Biggs Junction, Oregon
in Sherman County
and Maryhill, Washington in Klickitat County. It was named in honor of the early bridge proponent and builder of the nearby Maryhill Museum, Sam Hill
.
The bridge was opened on November 1, 1962 after two years of construction. It was initially a toll bridge, but the tolls were removed in 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.
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...
that carries U.S. Highway 97 across the Columbia River
Columbia River
The Columbia River is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. The river rises in the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia, Canada, flows northwest and then south into the U.S. state of Washington, then turns west to form most of the border between Washington and the state...
between Biggs Junction, Oregon
Biggs Junction, Oregon
Biggs Junction is an unincorporated community in Sherman County, Oregon, United States. For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau has defined Biggs Junction as a census-designated place...
in Sherman County
Sherman County, Oregon
Sherman County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. The county is named for William Tecumseh Sherman, a Union general in the American Civil War. In 2010, its population was 1,765. The seat of the county is Moro. The largest city is Wasco....
and Maryhill, Washington in Klickitat County. It was named in honor of the early bridge proponent and builder of the nearby Maryhill Museum, Sam Hill
Samuel Hill
Samuel Hill , usually known as Sam Hill, was a businessman, lawyer, railroad executive and advocate of good roads in the Pacific Northwest...
.
The bridge was opened on November 1, 1962 after two years of construction. It was initially a toll bridge, but the tolls were removed in 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.