Coos Bay Swing Bridge - Union Pacific Railroad - Oregon
Posted by: 
GT.US
N 43° 25.610 W 124° 14.140
10T E 399982 N 4808956
This Historic Railroad Bridge by the Willamette Pacific Railroad in 1904.
Waymark Code: WM3117
Location: Oregon, United States
Date Posted: 01/22/2008
Views: 76
This Bridge had a long and fascinating history. Please go to (
visit link) to read all the details. Some highlights from the 2004 article,
The Coos Bay bridge includes two timber approaches. The north approach is 315 feet and the south approach is 555 feet. In between are 12 steel trusses totaling 2,168 feet, with the mammoth swing span adding another 458 feet in total bridge length.
Years of salt water cause damage and decay to the bridge. and threatened it's closure.
The Port acquired the bridge In August 2000 The Oregon International Port of Coos Bay, thus placing the bridge in the public domain and making it eligible for state and federal funding.
Work began in October 2003, with extensive underwater repairs to the north rest pier that helps to support the weight of the swing span. The complicated repairs to the corroded steel members began in earnest in March 2004.
When completed, the Coos Bay bridge will again be ready to serve the day-to-day needs of various industries while keeping its historic past firmly in place.
Footnote: The Railroad recently closed this section of the railroad, so the bridge is locked into an open position.