Spanning Washington: Historic Highway Bridges of the Evergreen State

By Craig E. Holstine

Designed first and foremost to be practical, bridges nevertheless are often breathtaking in their construction, combining function and aesthetics. 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 workmen, Washington's highway bridges are amazing triumphs of skill, and played a significant role in the state's history. Several, at the time of their completion, attracted worldwide attention and the praise of professional engineers, influencing the course of bridge construction.

In their quest to compile the first comprehensive history of the state's highway bridges, the authors poured through the extensive records at the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), collecting definitive documentation and photographs from across the state. This magnificent book, including more than 100 illustrations, represents the culmination of years of study by many individuals associated with WSDOT and the Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (Olympia).

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0874222818
• ISBN13: 9780874222814
• Release Date: June 2005
• Publisher: Washington State University Press
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 2.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 10.3" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Spanning Washington: Historic Highway Bridges Of The Evergreen State

An excellent summary of the various types of structures used in Washington bridges down through the years. Specific locations and history given for each major bridge. Not a structural engineering text, but should be read by any northwest civil engineering type.

Surprisingly Fascinating Study of Washington Bridges

I've got to say that the first thing that came to mind when I saw this book on Washington's Bridges was the famous 'Galloping Gertie' bridge at Tacoma Narrows that fell down. Then I thought of the floating bridges that the folk at the Department of Transportation seem to like. I would have been disappointed if these bridges hadn't been included in this book. But they were, along with a bunch of other bridges that have failed also. One failed when a herd of sheep crossed it. Another when fireworks set it on fire. Earthquakes and the eruption of Mt. St. Helens caused more to fail. Then there was the one where a forty ton logging truck attempted to cross a bridge designed for a five ton load. But enough about failed bridges. This is really a book on the hundreds of other bridges around the State of Washington. Some of these are magnificant structures. A lot are surprisingly different, one bridge for instance that was bought war surplus. And I didn't realize that there were still three wooden covered bridges in the state. This is mostly a picture book, with just enough technical description as to the types of bridges to make it even more interesting. A lot of these bridges would make a good weekend excursion trip to go see. If you're interested in this sort of thing, this is a most interesting book. It's one that I intend to take along on vacations to tell us a bit about where we are going.