Construction on the original 3,011-foot-long Alsea Bay Bridge was funded by the federal Public Works Administration and completed in 1936 after three years of work. It was one of 11 Oregon coast bridges designed by Conde McCullough, who was known for his art deco designs.
The Alsea Bay Bridge was one of five PWA-funded bridges built over Alsea Bay, Coos Bay, Siuslaw River, Umpqua River, and Yaquina Bay that completed the Oregon Coast Highway.
The three-day festivities for the Alsea Bay Bridge dedication included a parade, a crab festival, races (foot, swim, and boat), concerts, a coronation and queen’s ball, and a fly fishing exhibition.
Over the years the harsh coastal climate caused rust to form in the interior rebar of the bridge and efforts were made to prolong its life starting in the early 1970s.
Construction of its replacement began in 1988 and it opened in the fall of 1991 at a cost of $42.4 million. The original was then demolished.
McCullough worked for the Oregon Department of Transportation from 1919 to 1935 taking a two-year break to help design bridges on the Pan-American Highway before returning to Oregon in 1937 to become the assistant state highway engineer.
His designs are well known for their architectural beauty – advocating that bridges be built economically, efficiently, and with beauty. In all, McCullough helped design more than 600 bridges, many with architectural details such as Gothic spires, art deco obelisks, and Romanesque arches.
- Historical text provided by the Lincoln County Historical Society in a partnership with YachatsNews. To learn more about the society and local history, visit its website here. A sampling of historic images from the LCHS collection can be seen at OregonDigital.org
So glad that the community was able to insist that the replacement bridge echo the beauty of the first, and certain key elements were preserved. I love crossing the bridge every time I go into Waldport!