Wapato Bridge, Tied-arch bridge in Multnomah County, Oregon, US.
Wapato Bridge is a tied-arch structure spanning the Multnomah Channel of the Columbia River, connecting urban areas with Sauvie Island's agricultural lands. The structure features two traffic lanes with shoulders and sidewalks designed to support modern commercial and farm transportation.
The bridge opened in 2008, replacing an earlier 1950 structure that could no longer handle the demands of modern truck traffic. Its design was developed specifically to support the heavy agricultural transportation needs serving the island.
The bridge was named in 2023 to honor the wapato plant, which held deep importance for Native American communities who originally inhabited Sauvie Island. This naming reflects the traditional knowledge and connection those communities maintained with the region and its resources.
The bridge offers straightforward crossing with clear lanes and pedestrian paths that accommodate all types of traffic easily. The flat design and wide structure make it simple to use regardless of the season or weather conditions.
The bridge uses weathering steel that develops a protective rust layer over time instead of requiring regular paint maintenance. This material choice gives the structure its distinctive brown and golden tone that blends naturally with the surrounding farmland.
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