Veterans Memorial Centennial Bridge

Bridge in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
47°38′51″N 116°42′52″W / 47.64750°N 116.71444°W / 47.64750; -116.71444Carries I-90CrossesBennett BayLocaleCoeur d'Alene, IdahoOther name(s)Bennett Bay Centennial BridgeMaintained byIdaho Transportation DepartmentCharacteristicsDesignBox girder bridgeTotal length1,729 ft (527 m)Width70 ft (21 m)Height299 ft (91 m)No. of lanes4 (2 per direction)HistoryConstruction end1991Construction cost$16 millionOpened1992LocationMap

The Veterans Memorial Centennial Bridge (formerly known as the Bennett Bay Centennial Bridge) is a freeway bridge in Idaho. The bridge carries Interstate 90 over a valley above Bennett Bay, an arm of Lake Coeur d'Alene.

Construction of the bridge began in 1988 and used a balanced cantilever to build sections at an average rate of 16 feet (4.9 m) a week.[1][2] It was completed in 1991 and opened the following year as part of the last major project to complete Interstate 90 east of Coeur d'Alene, at a cost of $16 million.[3]

The bridge was initially named the Bennett Bay Centennial Bridge, to commemorate the centennial of Idaho, despite a long-standing state policy against adopting official bridge names.[4][5] In 1992, the bridge was renamed the Veterans Memorial Centennial Bridge, in honor of Idaho's military veterans.

The bridge is a segmental concrete box girder bridge; it is 1,730 ft (530 m) long, 70 ft (21 m) wide, and carries four traffic lanes 300 ft (91 m) above the valley floor.[6] It was designed by HNTB.[7]

References

  1. ^ Bender, David (July 10, 1988). "Effort continues to complete I-90". The Spokesman-Review. pp. B1, B6. Retrieved August 26, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ McBride, Kelly (June 26, 1989). "I-90 span a growing spectacle". Spokane Chronicle. p. A3. Retrieved August 26, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ Foster, J. Todd (July 4, 1992). "New I-90 stretch offers scenery, safety". The Spokesman-Review. p. A1. Retrieved August 26, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Bennett Bay span named for state's 100th birthday". The Spokesman-Review. July 6, 1990. p. B3. Retrieved August 26, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ Miller, Dean (January 23, 1992). "Veterans want span to honor U.S. soldiers". The Spokesman-Review (Idaho ed.). p. B1. Retrieved August 26, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Bridge Statistics: Veterans Memorial Centennial Bridge". University of Minnesota. Archived from the original on September 27, 2004. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  7. ^ "Building Big: Veterans Memorial Centennial Bridge". Idaho Transportation Department. Archived from the original on February 4, 2012. Retrieved August 26, 2021.