Julia Butler Hansen Bridge

The Julia Butler Hansen Bridge links Cathlamet with Puget Island across the Cathlamet Channel portion of the Columbia River. The structure carries two lanes of State Route 409 for local traffic.

The bridge opened in August 1939 with President Franklin D. Roosevelt participating in the ribbon-cutting ceremony remotely from the White House using telegraph. This marked a major connection for the region.

The bridge is named after Julia Butler Hansen, who served as Washington State's first female Congressional representative from 1960 to 1974. It represents a local landmark that connects communities across the river.

The bridge accommodates two lanes and provides adequate clearance at high tide for river traffic to pass underneath. The route functions as part of the local transportation network connecting the surrounding area.

The structure works in combination with the Wahkiakum County Ferry system to serve the region. This pairing of bridge and ferry is an uncommon transportation arrangement for this part of the river.

Location: Washington

Inception: August 1939

Official opening: August 1939

GPS coordinates: 46.19555,-123.38426

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:20