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Snake River Bridge

Page 3 (of 4)

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SNAKE RIVER BRIDGE – replacing the steel bridge with one of concrete: (1953)

Load Ratings Reduced

Many bridges in the state system have had their load ratings reduced due to the decline in their safe carrying capacity over the years. The Snake River span at Weiser, approximately 900 feet long, is among these structures. It can no longer safely support two-way traffic, leading to costly regulatory measures that restrict traffic to single-line movement in one direction at a time.

From The Idaho Statesman – Boise, Idaho – Thu, Jan 5, 1950 – Page 16

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Two Snake River Span Bids Slated

Bids for the construction of the Snake River Bridge at Weiser are expected to be opened around the middle of September, according to James Reid, the chief state highway engineer. He also mentioned that designs are nearly complete for another Snake River bridge at Payette, with bid openings for that project likely taking place in December.

Both bridges are joint ventures between the Oregon and Idaho highway departments, as they connect the two states across the Snake River.

From The Idaho Statesman – Boise, Idaho – Sun, Sep 3, 1950 – Page 21

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Bridges Critical

Walter Albrethsen, state bridge engineer, noted that two upcoming bridge projects across the Snake River—one at Weiser and the other at Payette—would likely be considered critical and should receive sufficient steel supplies. Idaho is set to open bids today for the Snake River Bridge at Weiser, while Oregon plans to open bids on November 9 for the bridge at Payette. State Public Works Commissioner J. R. McKinney mentioned that the state does not stockpile steel, and currently, no projects requiring steel are anticipated apart from these bridges. However, contractors expect delays of six to seven months for steel deliveries.

From The Idaho Statesman – Boise, Idaho – Fri, Oct 27, 1950 – Page 7

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Bridge Construction Scheduled to Begin

WEISER (Special) — Construction on the new Snake River Bridge is scheduled to begin next month, according to R.H. McAndrew, bridge engineer. He mentioned that piling for the temporary bridge, which will be used during the construction of the new span, has already been ordered and is expected to be delivered next month. The delivery of steel for the bridge structure has also been assured, McAndrew added.

From The Idaho Statesman – Boise, Idaho – Mon, Dec 11, 1950 – Page 13

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Steel Allocated

WASHINGTON, April 17 (U.P) — Rep. John T. Wood, R., Idaho, announced today that the federal bureau of public roads has allocated enough steel to complete the construction of the Snake River Bridge at Weiser.

From The Times-News – Twin Falls, Idaho – Thu, Apr 17, 1952 – Page 16

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New Delay Balks Bridge at Weiser

WEISER—Construction of Weiser’s “on-again, off-again” Snake River Bridge has faced yet another delay.

Although the steel girders, which had been held up due to the steel strike, have finally arrived and are being assembled, the necessary equipment for a boiler to power the pile driver has not yet arrived.

Superintendent of the steel work, Wayne Lynn, mentioned that while the steel might be in place by Christmas, it may be necessary to postpone laying the concrete deck until spring.

From The Idaho Statesman – Boise, Idaho – October 5, 1952

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September 1952 – Installation of new flooring on temporary Snake River Bridge completed.

From Weiser American – January 5, 1953

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New Snake River Bridge Completed

The new Snake River Bridge near Weiser has been completed and is now open to full traffic. To mark the occasion, Weiser merchants are hosting sales and sponsoring a contest.

The contest involves guessing the number of cars that crossed the bridge from 8 a.m. Thursday until 6 p.m. The winners, who will receive defense bonds, are expected to be announced this afternoon.

From The Idaho Statesman – Boise, Idaho – Sat, Jun 6, 1953 – Page 12

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New Snake River Bridge Dedicated In Weiser Event

WEISER, July 9 (P)—A $374,000 bridge across the Snake River at Weiser was dedicated today by Idaho Highway Engineer Earle V. Miller, who highlighted that 69 more Idaho bridges need to be rebuilt.

The 900-foot concrete and steel bridge was a collaborative project between the Oregon and Idaho highway departments. Charles H. Reynolds, Oregon highway commissioner from La Grande, praised the bridge as an “example of the splendid cooperation” between the two states.

During a joint meeting of the Weiser Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis, and Lions clubs, Miller emphasized that many of the 69 bridges, while still structurally sound, are now considered obsolete due to increased traffic volume. He suggested that these bridges could be relocated to areas where they would be more suitable for handling lesser volumes of traffic and lighter loads.

Miller identified five key reasons for the obsolescence of many Idaho bridges: insufficient strength to carry today’s heavier legal loads, inadequate width, outdated clearance heights on old truss bridges, deterioration due to old age, and poor alignment in some cases.

From The Idaho Statesman – Boise, Idaho – July 9, 1953

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Story of the Bridge

Preparing the old bridge before moving it to the temporary pilings on it’s left side.

When I was a child, the bridge across the Snake River into Weiser was quite impressive with iron girding over the deck of the bridge. But it had to be replaced when I was still pretty young – I would guess about 6 or 7 years old. So, the constructors for the new bridge jacked up the old bridge and moved it to new pilings to the east. That action required that the floor be removed, so wooden planks were laid down just a little wider than a car’s tires. One could look down and see the river flowing underneath the temporary flooring. Additionally red and green traffic lights were installed at either end of the bridge because it had become one way only.

Between the temporary flooring and the fact that the traffic lights would become stuck, I was petrified of crossing the bridge, especially if Aunt Bertha was driving us to church because she could drive forward, but could not drive in reverse. If the traffic lights became stuck, people on one end of the bridge would become impatient with their red light and come onto the bridge. This often resulted in cars meeting midway, and someone would have to back up. So you can see my dilemma.

The Christmas pageant at church was always a highlight of the year, and I had a very important part with lots of lines to say because I could memorize like crazy. Also, my dad always made his annual trip to the church for the Christmas program. However, I simply could not bring myself to cross the bridge that night. I froze like a deer in the headlights. Ever the resourceful one, my mother figured out how to make my crossing happen. She had bought a pair of red shoes for me and had put them away until I grew a little more. I loved those red shoes and was anxious to wear them. So she made a deal that I could wear the new shoes to the Christmas pageant. Voila! I wore the red shoes, crossed the bridge and said all my lines!

From Kathryn Turner Baker

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Continued on Page 4 (of 4)

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