BNSF - Chambers Bay Bridge
Photos
BNSF - Chambers Bay Bridge
Side elevation from the east.
Photo taken by Mike Goff in January 2014
BH Photo #273601
Description
This bridge is nationally significant as the only remaining example of its kind in the United States, displaying the unique patented design that Strauss developed. This type of vertical lift bridge avoids the use of traditional towers and cables. The only other currently known example of this type is located in Prince George, British Columbia. Information from NPRHA.org Online CollectionFacts
- Overview
- Vertical lift bridge over Chambers Bay on BNSF Railway
- Location
- Pierce County, Washington
- Status
- Open to traffic
- History
- Originally built 1913-1914, Girders added 1937
- Builder
- - Strauss Bascule Bridge Co. of Chicago, Illinois
- Railroads
- - Amtrak (AMTK)
- Amtrak Cascades
- BNSF Railway (BNSF)
- Burlington Northern Railroad (BN)
- Northern Pacific Railway (NP)
- Design
- Strauss patent direct-lift vertical lift bridge, pony truss.
- Dimensions
-
Length of largest span: 97.0 ft.
Total length: 248.0 ft.
- Also called
- Bridge 14
- Approximate latitude, longitude
- +47.18711, -122.58409 (decimal degrees)
47°11'14" N, 122°35'03" W (degrees°minutes'seconds") - Approximate UTM coordinates
- 10/531509/5226040 (zone/easting/northing)
- Quadrangle map:
- Steilacoom
- Inventory number
- BH 46496 (Bridgehunter.com ID)
Update Log
- January 31, 2021: New photos from Geoff Hubbs
- April 21, 2018: New photo from Leslie R trick
- June 13, 2017: New video from Alexander D. Mitchell IV
- January 29, 2014: New photos from Mike Goff
- October 8, 2013: New photo from Douglas Butler
- August 15, 2013: New photo from Douglas Butler
- December 3, 2010: New Street View added by Cliff Darby
- December 2, 2010: Updated by Nathan Holth: Added Builder, Additional Info, Statement of Significance
Sources
- K. A. Erickson
- Nathan Holth
- Information about this bridge. - From oil-electric.com
- Cliff Darby - cliffsta1987 [at] gmail [dot] com
- Douglas Butler
- Flickr - Truss detail.
- Mike Goff - michael [dot] goff [at] hotmail [dot] com
- Alexander D. Mitchell IV
- Leslie R Trick - Leslie [dot] Trick [at] gmail [dot] com
- Geoff Hubbs
Comments
An Amtrak train derailed at this bridge on July 2, causing no serious injuries. Officials suspect a last-resort derail switch that is supposed to stop a train from advancing if the bridge is open. Article: http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/did-...
Mike and Nathan, whenever you are in the area we should meet, compare notes ...
It looks like the images were taken last week.
You could always rent a sail boat, then they would have to raise the bridge for you!
Nathan,
Your assesment is correct. You would need a boat or BNSF permissions to get any closer to the structure. I am planning on taking my kayak the next time I am in the area. I would like to get some close up shots of the lift mechanics.
Thanks,
MG
Mike,
Were you able to get any additional angles of this bridge? I have not visited the bridge, but researched it, and it looked like the angle you added to this page was the only angle that would be easy to get without trespassing or use of a boat. Can I assume that your experience confirmed this theory?
What an amazing piece of machinery! It certainly trumps concrete culverts in Kansas.
FYI-there's an interesting article on the bridge on the website, "oil-electric.com" under the June 2, 2009 blog date. Compares the cable-lift bridge with several other non-cable vertical-lift bridges.
This page's URL is http://bridgehunter.com/wa/pierce/bh46496/
I..I...I... I have never seen such a thing!!!!!!!!!!! That was spectacular! Thank you kindly for the video, sir.