Synopsis:
The bridges of Washington State range from soaring suspension spans to utilitarian trusses, from technological wonders to spectacular failures. Featuring over 200 maps, illustrations, and black & white photographs, this volume serves as a comprehensive history of the state's historically significant highway bridges. It begins with an introduction to basic bridge design, and a brief history of the state's bridges and its early bridge engineers. Then bridges are presented by region, with text describing construction methods, design innovation, geographic context, and preservation. Annotation ©2005 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
From the Publisher:
The first bridges in the state were built by settlers or the U.S. Army using the most plentiful material available—wood. As automobiles replaced horses and wagons, public pressure mounted for funding a more aggressive highway program. In 1910 some 9,300 Washingtonians owned cars. A mere ten years later, more than 186,000 automobiles cruised the roadways. Cars were part of everyday life and here to stay. In time, rutted wagon roads and rough-hewn log bridges gave way to maintained roadways and timber-beam spans. Bridge construction evolved, and steel or concrete arches, beams, and slabs replaced timber. Although fewer and fewer historic bridges remain in use, they help remind us of who we are and where we came from. Yet until now, their stories—some of triumph and determination, others of failure and loss—have remained largely unknown, even to the Washington residents and travelers who use them regularly. "Spanning Washington" satisfies readers' curiousity about these functional landmarks.
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