Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Bridge Over The McKenzie River

12 comments:

* said...

This is beautiful. Would like to visit a place like this someday in person.

Heckety said...

Doesn't it sag in the middle? It looks like it ought. Are you sure you didn't take this from a peculiar angle to make it look safe when in reality it sags? I bet you did...

Mellodee said...

And if it doesn't sag, WHY NOT?? That's a very long span, what's holding it up? Engineering marvel or just a misleading photograph????

gary said...

I love covered bridges...living in central PA again, I need to do a tour this Summer (there are many here)

Brenda's Arizona said...

Wow, one of my favorites!

Judy said...

Caught my breath when I saw this.

Unknown said...

Such a beautiful old bridge. Like the others it seems to be so long it needs center supports. Where on the McKenzie is this?

Unknown said...

oh wow!!! this looks amazing....and I have to say I am shocked you don't take more shots of food...I take food photos almost everyday!!!!

Have a wonderful week!!!

Donna K. Weaver said...

I love covered bridges.

NikonSniper said...

Faye,

This is the Belknap Covered Bridge over the McKenzie River in Oregon.

Location:
From Springfield take Highway 126 east approximately 46 miles to the community of McKenzie Bridge. One mile west of the small town of Rainbow, turn south on McKenzie River Drive. Follow McKenzie River Drive for about 0.8 miles to King Road West.

Background:
The Belknap Bridge occupies a site in which a covered bridge has been in continuous use since 1890. The neighboring community recognized the importance of a river crossing at that location and adopted the name "McKenzie Bridge."

In 1911 the first bridge was replaced by Lane County with another covered structure.

The third covered bridge at this site was erected in 1939 and was destroyed by the Christmas Flood of 1964. The current covered span was designed by Oregon Bridge Corporation of Springfield and built by contract let by the county. The bridge was opened in 1966.

Several years later, louvered windows were added to the bridge to give interior illumination and to reduce the "box effect" of the windowless span. Extensive repairs in 1992 and 2002 strengthened the structure, and a new roof was installed.

County: Lane
Stream: McKenzie River
Latitude: 44°10'04.8"N
Longitude: 122°13'41.8"W

Truss Type: Howe
Bridge Length (ft): 120
Year Built: 1966 *1992
World Guide Number: 37-20-11

Ken said...

This is the Goodpasture, not the Belknap covered bridge. It is located at milepost 26.2 of the McKenzie Hwy., about 21 miles to the west of the Belknap bridge. The load limit on Goodpasture was reduced to 15 tons last year & is scheduled for rehabilitation again in 2012.


Goodpasture Covered Bridge

World Guide Number: 37-20-10
Built: 1938
Truss: Howe
Span: 165 feet
Stream: McKenzie River

Directions: Take Hwy. 126 east out of Springfield about 25.5 miles through the scenic McKenzie River Valley to Goodpasture Rd.

History: One of the most beautiful and photographed covered bridges in the state, the Goodpasture Covered Bridge is also the second longest covered bridge in Oregon. The structure has superb architectural detailing, including 10 gothic style louvered windows on each side, false end beams, semi-elliptical portals, and a 165 foot housed Howe truss.

Lane County spent $13,154 constructing the bridge in 1938 and it was named for the pioneer Goodpasture family, who settled near the town of Vida.

Increased traffic weakened the bridge and in 1987, County officials decided to rehabilitate it instead of bypassing it. Lane County spent $750,000 to complete work on the bridge, road, approaches, and wing wall. Today many tourists gather to see the Christmas decorations that routinely adorn the bridge during the Christmas season.

NikonSniper said...

Ken!
Thanks. I honestly wasn't sure. I was looking at photos online for quite a while. I sure am glad you posted this.

Have a look at this info Faye. I trust this a lot more than what I said.

This is the main reason I want to purchased cameras with GPS!

Thanks again Ken.
nikonsniper steve