This bridge was built in 1944 by the US Army Corp of Engineers as part of the Alcan Highway. Some say it was positioned here, just past the bend in the river, so that enemy planes could not get a run at it to drop bombson it and others say this is not true.
Sammy Mutch’s father made the first trip over the bridge, well at least part way. He had come to town for supplies and rode the ferry across. Noticing that the barricades were still up on the bridge he wondered how quickly it would be done.
After making his purchases, he stopped at the local tavern to wet his whistle before returning home. After having a few he headed home. When he reached the river the barricades were gone and made the logical assumption that the bridge work was completed. Excited that he may be one of the first to cross the bridge he proceeded across.
His first indication that something was wrong was the truck making a sudden drop. The middle planking had not been laid. Thankfully he had enough speed to make the truck skid across the supports to the planking on the other side. From there he needed to crawl out his window, onto the hood of the truck and across to get to the planks on the other side and make the long walk home.
Early the next morning when Mr. Mutch and his boys arrived to try and get the truck off the bridge, the crane already had it hoisted into the air. The operator was nice enough to deposit it on the bank where they were able to drive it home.
across to get to the planks on the other side and make the long walk home.
Early the next morning when Mr. Mutch and his boys arrived to try and get the truck off the bridge, the crane already had it hoisted into the air. The operator was nice enough to deposit it on the bank where they were able to drive it home.