State Bridge

The State Bridge, at State Bridge, Colorado, off Colorado State Highway 131, was a two-span Howe truss bridge built in 1890. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985

History

The bridge was built by the Missouri Valley Bridge Company, low bidder for the contract. The bridge was the third-earliest bridge designed and built for the Colorado State Engineer, and was the oldest surviving as of 1983. When listed, with only one of its two spans surviving, it was one of the oldest vehicular bridges in the state. The original State Bridge, built in 1890 over the Colorado River in Eagle County, played a crucial role in early transportation and development in Colorado. It was the third of several "state bridges" funded by the state, designed to link the first east-west route and provide access to the railroad at Wolcott. The bridge was constructed with native wood and wrought iron. Here's a more detailed look at its history: Construction and Design: The 204-foot-long, 16-foot-wide bridge featured a 100-foot Howe truss span. Importance: It was a vital link for transportation, connecting North Park and the Yampa Valley regions in northwestern Colorado. Challenges: The bridge faced challenges from heavy run-off, causing collapses in the late 1920s and June 1946. The bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. It largely collapsed during periods of heavy run-off and a fire after its listing.

Modern Bridge: A modern bridge replaced the original State Bridge in 1966. Remnants: Today, some remnants of the original bridge, including a concrete support in the river, mark the location of the span.

The second span has been lost.

Geography

The State Bridge area is at 39°51′29″N 106°38′54″W

Comment

Any summer day there will be many rafters eithre putting in or getting out of the river, and there is a small shop that is open occasionally for a snack.