Vernita Bridge, State road bridge over Columbia River near Desert Aire, Washington.
Vernita Bridge is a highway bridge that crosses the Columbia River connecting Grant County and Benton County in Washington state along State Route 24. The structure carries traffic across the river at a point where the landscape transitions between different agricultural and semi-arid regions.
The bridge opened in 1965 to replace a ferry service that had operated since 1901. The area was evacuated starting in 1943 as part of the Manhattan Project, leading to the closure of the earlier crossing.
The bridge access area functions as a central gathering point for recreational fishing activities, particularly during the fall Chinook salmon season.
The bridge is easily accessible via Washington State Route 24, which runs through the region and provides parking areas nearby. The surrounding area offers good visibility and clear roads, making it straightforward to find and cross.
A weather station in this area recorded one of the highest temperatures ever measured in Washington state. Such extreme conditions shaped the climate and landscape of the surrounding semi-arid region.
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