Description
Designed first and foremost to be practical, bridges are often breathtaking in their construction. Whether marvelous or mundane, they stand as feats of civilization, connecting people through time and aesthetics as well as space, and the historic structures that span the Evergreen State’s highways are no exception. These technological wonders are extraordinary by any measure, yet their stories have remained largely unknown.
Conceived by visionary engineers and built by anonymous skilled workmen, Washington’s highway bridges are amazing triumphs of skill and play a significant role in the state’s history. Several, at the time of their completion, attracted worldwide attention and the praise of professional engineers. Some garnered headlines around the globe. Others influenced the course of bridge engineering.
In their quest to compile the first comprehensive history of the state’s bridges, the authors poured through the extensive records at the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), collecting definitive documentation and photographic gems from across the state. The more than 100 illustrations and 60,000 words of informative text in this magnificent book represent the culmination of years of study by many individuals associated with WSDOT, which has supported this volume’s publication.
Prepared in cooperation with the Washington State Department of Transportation 2005
Photographs / maps / notes / bibliography / index / 280 pages (2005)
Recognition
“A spectacular new book with more than 200 illustrations, [Spanning Washington] provides a comprehensive history of Washington’s historic bridges, including construction methods, design innovations, failure, demolition, and preservation.”—Better Roads Magazine
“You don’t have to know trestles and trusses from cantilevers to enjoy this extra-illustrated and surprisingly interesting book. Perhaps the Pacific Northwest has an edge on the rest of the U.S. when it comes to bridges due to its spectacular settings. The bridges range from logs thrown across creeks in the 1850s to modern steel and concrete giants spanning the mighty Columbia River. Particularly interesting are the floating bridges of Seattle and the Hood Canal, and the details on bridges that failed. A personal favorite is the bridge destroyed by sheep—and not by the gross weight of the flock. Unlike G.I.’s of old, like this here reviewer, the woolies were too dumb to “break step” whilst crossing a bridge, and their synchronized vibrations shook down the structure.”—True West Magazine
“There are lots of books about bridges. Some give the history of bridges or celebrate their beauty. Spanning Washington does both…The purpose of the book was to document the history and structure of Washington’s highway bridges. But during its creation, the book became something very like its subject. It became a work of art.”—Dan Hays, Statesman Journal
“A history of bridge-building in Washington state, with mini-essays on every major bridge in the state, from ‘Galloping Gertie’ (the first Tacoma Narrows Bridge, which wobbled itself apart in 1940) to our three floating bridges (two of which have sunk) to the seemingly solid spans across the Columbia.”—Seattle Times
“A nice publication with excellent photographs and very useful plans and drawings. Eric DeLony, the dean of American bridge historians, has contributed an essay at the end of the book summing up Washington’s best bridges. There is a glossary of bridge terms and a thoughtful bibliography to round out this delightful book.”—Oregon Historical Quarterly
“The bridges of Washington State range from soaring suspension spans to utilitarian trusses, from technological wonders to spectacular failures. Featuring over 200 maps, illustrations, and black & white photographs, this volume serves as a comprehensive history of the state’s historically significant highway bridges. It begins with an introduction to basic bridge design, and a brief history of the state’s bridges and its early bridge engineers. Then bridges are presented by region, with text describing construction methods, design innovation, geographic context, and preservation.”—Book News, Inc.
