Whilamut Passage Bridge, bridge in United States of America
Whilamut Passage Bridge is a road crossing over the Willamette River near Eugene, Oregon, made to handle heavy daily traffic. The structure consists of two concrete spans that work together to carry vehicles across the water.
An earlier bridge stood at this location beginning in 1961 before the current spans replaced it with construction running from 2009 to 2013. The new sections were built gradually while traffic continued on the older structure, keeping the crossing open throughout the project.
The bridge carries a name from the Kalapuya language, honoring the indigenous people who originally inhabited this region. This naming choice connects the structure to the land's past and its first peoples.
The bridge functions as part of Interstate 5, allowing quick crossings for all vehicle types from cars to heavy trucks. Pedestrians and cyclists can use a separate bicycle bridge that runs parallel to the main structure nearby.
The two spans opened at different times, with the western portion finishing in 2011 and the eastern section opening in 2013. This staggered opening allowed traffic to keep flowing without interruption during the entire construction period.
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