Salem, Falls City and Western Railway Bridge - Vertical Lift Bridges on Waymarking.com

Southern Pacific used this bridge in Salem Oregon up until the 1970's. Even then it was used in a limited way by swithcers into the 1990's. Construction on this bridge across the Willamette River started around 1907 and continued until it was finished in 1913. The bridge is a 5 span through truss bridge, that has a center draw span (vertical lift) for river traffic. The west end of the bridge includes a dramatic curving wood trestle.

Many more photo's and history of this rail line can be found at Brian894X4's excellent web resource of Abandoned Railroads of the Pacific Northwest

The Union Pacific Railroad donated the bridge and some land for a park to The City of Salem on October 15, 2004. Salem has converted this bridge into a pedestrian bridge.

Bridge Facts: Facts:

Bridge Constructed from 1907-1913

Bridge Type: Steel Truss Span with Vertical Lift Span

Length of Steel Superstructure: approximately 700 feet

Minimum Horizontal Distance Between Truss Members: 15 feet

Length of Timber Approach Trestle: approximately 860 feet

Elevation Above High Water Open: 68 feet

Elevation Above High Water Closed: 14 feet

Visit Instructions:
1) After you've found a vertical lift bridge, go visit it, get the coordinates, a picture or two of it, and if it is in use or not still as a lift bridge.
Then log it and post your pictures! At least one of the photos must be of you and your GPS there with the bridge in the background. (No old vacation shots or photos off the internet!)
2) Include the coordinates, city/county/state/country and the name of the bridge (if it has one).
3) Include any interesting information about the structure

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log   08/30/2012 ddtfamily visited it 11/27/2007 shadow101 visited it 10/15/2007 stevespencer824 visited it 08/10/2007 Bandmaster visited it 05/01/2006 Team HondaV visited it 03/26/2006 Team EzyWren visited it

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