# Yale Bridge
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> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yale_Bridge
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{{Use American English|date=February 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox NRHP
| name = Yale Bridge
| nrhp_type =
| image = Yale Bridge WA1.jpg
| caption = Yale Bridge - Note [osprey](/source/osprey) nests on tower
| location = Spans Lewis River on {{Jct|state=WA|WA|503}}, [Yale, Washington](/source/Yale%2C_Washington)
| coordinates = {{Coord|45|57|39|N|122|22|23|W|display=inline,title}}
| locmapin = Washington
| built = 1932
| architect = Harold H. Gilbert; Gilpin Construction Co.
| architecture = Short-span steel suspension bridge
| added = July 16, 1982
| area = Less than one acre
| mpsub = {{NRHP url|id=64000902|title=Historic Bridges/Tunnels in Washington State TR}}
| refnum = 82004206[{{NRISref|version=2009a}}]
}}
The '''Yale Bridge''' or '''Lewis River Bridge''' spans the [Lewis River](/source/Lewis_River_(Washington)) near [Yale, Washington](/source/Yale%2C_Washington). It was built in 1932 by [Cowlitz](/source/Cowlitz_County%2C_Washington) and [Clark](/source/Clark_County%2C_Washington) counties. The [suspension bridge](/source/suspension_bridge) has a [clear span](/source/clear_span) of {{Convert|300|ft}}, with a total length of {{Convert|532|ft}}, replacing a previous steel truss bridge at the site. Construction of the [Ariel Dam](/source/Merwin_Dam) had created [Lake Merwin](/source/Lake_Merwin) with a water depth of {{Convert|90|ft}} at the site, requiring a new bridge that did not need to have support piers in the water. The road deck, stiffened by a steel [Warren truss](/source/Warren_truss), is {{Convert|50|ft}} above the high water line of the reservoir.[{{Cite web |last=Soderberg |first=Lisa |title=Yale Bridge |url=https://fortress.wa.gov/dahp/wisaard/documents/RN/0/0/541.pdf |publisher=Historic American Engineering Record |access-date=22 March 2011 |date=August 1979}}][{{Cite web |url=https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/master/pnp/habshaer/wa/wa0400/wa0439/data/wa0439data.pdf |title=Yale Bridge |last=Hadlow |first=Robert W. |date=August 1993 |work=[Historic American Engineering Record](/source/Historic_American_Engineering_Record) |publisher=Library of Congress |location=Washington, D.C. |access-date=October 30, 2022}}]
== History ==
The bridge was designed by Harold H. Gilbert of the Washington State Highway Department, and was constructed by the Gilpin Construction Company of Portland, Oregon.
== Structure ==
The only short-span steel suspension bridge in Washington,[{{Cite web |title=Historic Bridges |url=http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/environment/culres/bridges.htm |publisher=Washington State Department of Transportation |access-date=22 March 2011 |archive-date=March 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180313195120/http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Environment/CulRes/bridges.htm |url-status=dead }}] the bridge incorporates unique features. Only the central span is slung from the cables, with separate unloaded cables acting as backstays running from the {{Convert|88.75|ft|m|adj=on}} tall towers to concrete anchorages in the canyon's rocky sides. The approach spans were originally supported from below by a timber structure. The cables are discontinuous at the towers, unlike most suspension bridges, in which the cables run over a saddle on the towers. With less wear, the cables could be smaller. The bridge deck is made of timbers with an asphalt overlay. The counties transferred the bridge to the Washington State Department of Highways in the late 1930s and it was refitted in 1957–58 with steel approach spans. It is noted for prominent brackets supporting [osprey](/source/osprey) nests.[{{Cite web |last=Long |first=Priscilla |title=Clark and Cowlitz counties erect Yale Bridge across Lewis River in 1932 |url=http://www.washington.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&File_Id=5417 |publisher=HistoryLink.org |access-date=22 March 2011 |date=March 14, 2003 |archive-date=July 26, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726112442/http://www.washington.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&File_Id=5417 |url-status=dead }}]
== Recognition ==
The bridge was placed on the [National Register of Historic Places](/source/National_Register_of_Historic_Places) on July 16, 1982.