Mears Memorial Bridge

Mears Memorial Bridge is a railway bridge that spans the Tanana River using a steel Pennsylvania through-truss design. The structure carries a single track and links the northern and southern sections of Alaska by rail.

The bridge was completed in 1923 as the final missing link in Alaska's first transcontinental rail line. A U.S. president traveled to the region personally to celebrate the completion of the rail network.

The bridge carries the name of Joseph Mears, an engineer involved in its design. This naming reflects how the community honors those who shaped Alaska's early railroad development.

The bridge is part of an active rail line, so pedestrian access is limited and requires special permission. It is important to check train schedules before visiting the area.

When it opened, this structure ranked among the longest spans of its engineering type in North America at that time. The build required innovations to overcome the challenging river conditions and freeze-thaw cycles.

Location: Alaska

Official opening: February 1923

Length: 397 m

GPS coordinates: 64.56710,-149.07900

Latest update: December 8, 2025 20:03