Big Creek Bridge

Big Creek Bridge is a road bridge that crosses Big Creek Canyon on US Route 101 using a tied-arch design to span the ravine. The structure has two main arches that support the roadway above the canyon floor.

Built in 1931, this bridge was part of the Oregon Coast Highway project that connected California to Washington. It represents the engineering approach of that era for highway construction across difficult terrain.

The bridge earned recognition in the National Register of Historic Places for its engineering excellence and contribution to the Pacific Northwest transportation network.

The bridge accommodates two lanes of traffic and is about 24 feet (7 meters) wide, making passage straightforward for vehicles. It sits roughly 65 feet (20 meters) above the canyon floor, providing a safe crossing height for the roadway.

Construction crews used an innovative approach by hand-transporting tens of thousands of cement sacks up the canyon using wooden platforms and rope systems. This labor-intensive method shows how builders worked before modern machinery became standard in remote bridge projects.

Location: Lane County

Architects: Conde Balcom McCullough

GPS coordinates: 44.17444,-124.11417

Latest update: December 14, 2025 12:28