Yale Bridge

Yale Bridge
Yale Bridge - Note osprey nests on tower
LocationSpans Lewis River on SR 503, Yale, Washington
Coordinates45°57′39″N 122°22′23″W / 45.96083°N 122.37306°W / 45.96083; -122.37306
AreaLess than one acre
Built1932
ArchitectHarold H. Gilbert; Gilpin Construction Co.
Architectural styleShort-span steel suspension bridge
MPSHistoric Bridges/Tunnels in Washington State TR
NRHP reference No.82004206
Added to NRHPJuly 16, 1982

The Yale Bridge or Lewis River Bridge spans the Lewis River near Yale, Washington. It was built in 1932 by Cowlitz and Clark counties. The suspension bridge has a clear span of 300 feet (91 m), with a total length of 532 feet (162 m), replacing a previous steel truss bridge at the site. Construction of the Ariel Dam had created Lake Merwin with a water depth of 90 feet (27 m) at the site, requiring a new bridge that did not need to have support piers in the water. The road deck, stiffened by a steel Warren truss, is 50 feet (15 m) above the high water line of the reservoir.