Old Youngs Bay Bridge, Bascule bridge in Astoria, Oregon, US.
The Old Youngs Bay Bridge is a steel bascule crossing in Astoria that spans Youngs Bay while connecting the Youngs River Peninsula to the mainland. It features two movable steel leaves in the center section and timber spans on either side that carry the roadway across the water.
Conde McCullough designed this crossing in 1921 as his first project in Oregon, marking the start of his influence on the state's infrastructure development. His design approach established patterns that would shape future bridge projects across the region.
Conde McCullough gave the bridge Art Moderne concrete pylons topped with light fixtures, flanking the landings at each end. These were early versions of the accent elements that became his signature on later Oregon bridges. Visitors crossing from the Astoria side pass between the pylons before reaching the timber trestle approach.
This crossing is part of US 101 Bus and sees heavy daily traffic, so travel times may be longer during peak periods. It helps to check local traffic conditions before heading across, especially during summer months when visitor traffic increases.
The structure combines steel bascule mechanisms with timber spans, demonstrating the shift from traditional to modern construction approaches in the 1920s. This mix of materials and techniques was a practical solution for conditions in this coastal region at that time.
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