Gianella Bridge, Historic swing bridge in Hamilton City, United States
The Gianella Bridge is a historic highway bridge spanning the Sacramento River between Glenn County and Butte County, constructed of steel and concrete featuring Pratt truss design. The structure served vehicle traffic along California State Highway 32 for many decades before being decommissioned in 1987.
The bridge was built between 1908 and 1911 by Cotton Brothers & Co and earned recognition on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. This designation honors its significance as an early example of California highway infrastructure.
The bridge location emerged from negotiations between Glenn County and Butte County, with Vincenzo Gianella mediating the final placement decision.
The bridge is no longer in operation for vehicle traffic and can be viewed from the outside to appreciate its early engineering design. It is advisable to check local conditions before visiting, as the structure sits in a rural area along the Sacramento River.
This was California's first swing bridge designed for highway use, allowing boat traffic on the Sacramento River without permanent supports blocking the water. This innovative solution was remarkable for the early 1900s.
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