Spanning the mighty Columbia River, the Bridge of the Gods connects the states of Oregon and Washington. A steel truss cantilever bridge, it was built by the Wauna Toll Bridge Company of Walla Walla, WA and opened in 1926 at a length of 1,127 feet. It is still a toll bridge and spans the Columbia River about 65 miles east of Portland, OR between Cascade Locks, OR and near Stevenson, WA.
Prior to the dam construction on the Columbia, the Corp of Engineers constructed the Cascade Locks and Canal to allow river traffic to bypass the Cascade Rapids. The Bonneville Dam was constructed in 1937 covering the locks and canal when the water level rose. The bridge was extended to 1,856 feet to raise the structure higher to compensate for the higher river levels after the Bonneville Dam (4 miles upriver) was completed.
The name ‘Bridge of the Gods,’ comes from Native American legends about crossing the Columbia River and can be found and read about by doing a Google search. Also, the Cascade Crest Trail crosses the Columbia River over this bridge and is at its lowest elevation along the entire trail here.
On the far side of the bridge you can see red and blue lights streaming along Washington Highway 14, it was a sheriff’s cruiser whizzing by through my time lapse shot.
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What a cool bridge! Great shot!
Nice shot Madge! It does seem ridiculous to still be paying tolls after 85+ years, doesn’t it.
lots of heavy-duty lighting on it!
I’ve traveled this bridge I do believe on adventures to and fro around Hood River. BIG Winds!
Beautiful shot!
That is a quite demanding name…
Such a beautiful bridge. Loved the history with it. Have a happy 4th!
You always manage to find the best vantage points for taking shots of large structures! I think you were a mountain goat in a previous life!
Wow, that is well lit.
I’ve only driven over this bridge once which totally amazed me that I was able to even get the car started in that direction. Mama, some California friends, and I had been enjoying watching folks windsurfing, etc. around Stephenson and wanted to head back to Portland. My older son had told me, knowing full well my fear of heights and bridges, that he didn’t think I would be able to get myself to do it–he didn’t much like it himself, what with it looking like it had been made out of Erector Set parts and pieces. I made it, late afternoon. Never even thought about folks driving over it at night–no wonder there are so many bright lights. You’ve got to really pay attention to what you’re doing.
Madge this photo is magnificent. I keep looking at it, marveling at the sight.
Love the glow of the lights on the right — splendid shot, Madge. :)
beautiful .. and a happy safe Fourth to you!
The Gods are shining. Terrific photo!
Night time-lapse photos are always fun, aren’t they? I love the silky light on the river!
Wow- cool bridge Madge!
Wonderful bridge photo. Maybe come summer I’ll experiment with a night photo of our local bridge.