Rock Island Railroad Bridge

The Rock Island Railroad Bridge is a steel railway bridge crossing the Columbia River between Chelan and Douglas counties. Its structure combines a through truss, a deck truss, and an approach trestle spanning approximately 875 feet.

The bridge was built in 1892 to serve the Great Northern Railway crossing the Columbia River. Edge Moor Bridge Works of Wilmington, Delaware, designed and constructed it using advanced methods for that era.

The bridge represents late 1800s railroad expansion across the region. It stands on the National Register of Historic Places and shows how rail lines shaped the way communities connected.

The bridge sits roughly 1.1 kilometers southwest of Rock Island and remains in active use for freight rail traffic. Visitors can view it from nearby roads and areas, though direct access is not available as it is an operational railway structure.

The deck truss spans were assembled upside down during original construction to serve as anchors for the main truss structure. This unconventional method solved engineering challenges when building across a wide river.

Location: Washington

Official opening: 1892

GPS coordinates: 47.36720,-120.15200

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:23