The Dalles Bridge

The Dalles Bridge is a steel cantilever truss bridge that crosses the Columbia River between The Dalles in Oregon and Dallesport in Washington. The structure spans multiple sections and carries traffic across this important river crossing.

Ferry service connected the banks starting in 1854, but planning proposals from 1865 were not realized until 1953 when the bridge opened. The construction involved adjustments required by dam development on this stretch of the river.

The bridge's name comes from the French word dalle, which refers to the rapids of the Columbia River and reflects the region's French-Canadian fur trading heritage.

The bridge carries US Route 197 traffic and connects Washington State Route 14 with Interstate 84. Crossing is straightforward, and visitor access is available during normal daylight hours without special restrictions.

Engineers reused prefabricated steel components from earlier designs during construction to meet dam development requirements. This innovative approach allowed them to combine both needs using existing materials.

Location: Oregon

Location: Washington

Inception: 1953

Official opening: December 18, 1953

GPS coordinates: 45.61010,-121.13900

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:03