Purdy Bridge, Road bridge in Pierce County, Washington, United States
Purdy Bridge is a road bridge spanning Henderson Bay with five concrete sections and a central span measuring 190 feet (58 m) in length. The entire structure extends roughly 550 feet (168 m) and provides a 20-foot (6 m) wide roadway connecting the two shores.
The bridge was constructed following Homer M. Hadley's design beginning in 1936 and finished in 1937. It introduced a new construction method that had never been used before in American bridge building.
The bridge shaped how the two communities on either side of the bay developed and remain connected today. It stands as a landmark that defines the local landscape and serves residents and visitors crossing the water.
Visitors can cross on foot or by car and enjoy views of the bay from the middle of the span. Access is straightforward from either the Purdy area or the Wauna side, with parking available near both approach roads.
This was the first bridge in America built using reinforced concrete box girders, a construction technique that became the standard method for bridge building across the country. Engineers studied this bridge to learn how to build stronger structures.
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