Salem, Falls City and Western Railway Bridge
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member TheBeanTeam
N 44° 56.747 W 123° 02.463
10T E 496761 N 4976928
Known by various names... most sources call it the Salem, Falls City and Western Railway Bridge but this vertical lift bridge is also remembered as the P. E. & E. Bridge (Portland, Eugene, and Eastern) and the Falls City Branch of the Southern Pacific.
Waymark Code: WM79Q
Location: Oregon, United States
Date Posted: 02/07/2006
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member familygeo
Views: 119
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Southern Pacific used this bridge in Salem Oregon up until the 1970's. Even then it was used in a limited way by swithcers into the 1990's. Construction on this bridge across the Willamette River started around 1907 and continued until it was finished in 1913. The bridge is a 5 span through truss bridge, that has a center draw span (vertical lift) for river traffic. The west end of the bridge includes a dramatic curving wood trestle.

Many more photo's and history of this rail line can be found at Brian894X4's excellent web resource of Abandoned Railroads of the Pacific Northwest

The Union Pacific Railroad donated the bridge and some land for a park to The City of Salem on October 15, 2004. Salem has converted this bridge into a pedestrian bridge.

Bridge Facts: Facts:

  • Bridge Constructed from 1907-1913
  • Bridge Type: Steel Truss Span with Vertical Lift Span
  • Length of Steel Superstructure: approximately 700 feet
  • Minimum Horizontal Distance Between Truss Members: 15 feet
  • Length of Timber Approach Trestle: approximately 860 feet
  • Elevation Above High Water Open: 68 feet
  • Elevation Above High Water Closed: 14 feet

    • Visit Instructions:
    1) After you've found a vertical lift bridge, go visit it, get the coordinates, a picture or two of it, and if it is in use or not still as a lift bridge.
    Then log it and post your pictures! At least one of the photos must be of you and your GPS there with the bridge in the background. (No old vacation shots or photos off the internet!)
    2) Include the coordinates, city/county/state/country and the name of the bridge (if it has one).
    3) Include any interesting information about the structure
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    Recent Visits/Logs:
    Date Logged Log  
    ddtfamily visited Salem, Falls City and Western Railway Bridge 08/30/2012 ddtfamily visited it
    shadow101 visited Salem, Falls City and Western Railway Bridge 11/27/2007 shadow101 visited it
    stevespencer824 visited Salem, Falls City and Western Railway Bridge 10/15/2007 stevespencer824 visited it
    Bandmaster visited Salem, Falls City and Western Railway Bridge 08/10/2007 Bandmaster visited it
    Team HondaV visited Salem, Falls City and Western Railway Bridge 05/01/2006 Team HondaV visited it
    Team EzyWren visited Salem, Falls City and Western Railway Bridge 03/26/2006 Team EzyWren visited it

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