Four Bears Bridge

{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}} {{Use American English|date=January 2025}} {{Infobox bridge |fetchwikidata=coordinates | bridge_name = Four Bears Bridge | native_name = | native_name_lang = | image = Lake sakakawea.jpg | image_size = | alt = | caption = Four Bears Bridge seen by satellite in 1996 | official_name = | other_name = | carries = | crosses = Lake Sakakawea | locale = | owner = | maint = | id = | website = | architect = | designer = | engineering = | design = | material = | length = | width = | height = | mainspan = {{convert|316|ft|m}} | spans = | pierswater = | load = | clearance = | below = | life = | builder = | fabricator = | begin = July 2003 | complete = 2005 | cost = $55,000,000<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.constructionequipmentguide.com/Four-Bears-Steadily-Crosses-Sakakawea-in-ND/5035/|title = Four Bears Steadily Crosses Sakakawea in ND : CEG}}</ref> | open = | inaugurated = | toll = | traffic = | preceded = | followed = | heritage = | collapsed = | closed = | replaces = | map_cue = | map_image = | map_alt = | map_text = | map_width = | coordinates = | lat = | long = | references = | extra = }}

'''Four Bears Bridge''' is one of two bridges built over the Missouri River on the Fort Berthold Reservation in the U.S. state of North Dakota. It carries North Dakota Highway 23. The current bridge which opened in 2005 is the second largest bridge in the state and replaced an earlier bridge built in 1934. The 1934 bridge was moved in 1955 following the construction of the Garrison Dam and the creation of Lake Sakakawea.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.digitalhorizonsonline.org/digital/collection/uw-ndshs/id/5636/|title = Four Bears Bridge dedication at Four Bears Monument, Elbowoods, N.D.}}</ref>

One worker was killed and three were injured when a portion of the new bridge collapsed during construction on November 30, 2004.

The current bridge is decorated with medallions reflecting the heritage of the Three Affiliated Tribes, the Mandan, Arikara and Hidatsa, who inhabit the reservation. The bridge is named for two chiefs, one Mandan and one Hidatsa and both named Four Bears.

The bridge opened to traffic on September 2, 2005, at around 10:00 a.m. local time [http://www.willistonherald.com/articles/2005/09/02/news/news4.txt]. An official opening ceremony was held on October 3, 2005. <gallery> File:The old bridge seen from Crow Flies High view point.jpg|The old bridge from the Four Bears Village side </gallery>

==References== {{Reflist}}<br />{{Crossings navbox | structure = Bridges | place = Missouri River | bridge =Four Bears Bridge | bridge signs = 20px | upstream = US 85 Bridge | upstream signs = 20px | downstream = ND 200 Bridge | downstream signs = 20px }}

Category:Road bridges in North Dakota Category:Bridges completed in 1955 Category:Bridges completed in 2005 Category:Bridge disasters caused by construction error Category:Bridge disasters in the United States Category:Transportation disasters in North Dakota Category:2005 establishments in North Dakota Category:Construction accidents in the United States Category:1955 establishments in North Dakota Category:Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation