Hurricane Gulch Bridge
| Hurricane Gulch Bridge | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 63°0′N 149°37′W / 63.000°N 149.617°WCoordinates: 63°0′N 149°37′W / 63.000°N 149.617°W |
| Carries | Alaska Railroad |
| Crosses | Hurricane Gulch (tributary of Chulitna River) |
| Locale | Hurricane Gulch |
| Maintained by | Alaska Railroad |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Arch |
| Width | 8 ft (2.4 m), 1 track with a walkway on one side |
| Longest span | 918 ft (279.8 m) |
| Clearance above | Deck arch, unlimited clearance |
| Clearance below | 296 ft (90 m) |
| History | |
| Opened | August 15, 1921 |
Not to be confused with the road bridge of the same name.
The Hurricane Gulch Bridge is a 918 ft (280 m) steel arch bridge that crosses Hurricane Gulch. It is located at milepost 284.2, counting from Seward. It is both the longest and tallest bridge on the entire railroad.
Construction
Construction of this bridge by the American Bridge Company began in early 1921. The first steel was erected in June, and the first passenger train operated on August 15 of the same year. It was the most difficult and expensive bridge project on the railroad, and cost $1.2 million. To built it, the company strung an aerial tram across the gulch, and construction proceeded from both sides simultaneously.[1] For eight years, this was the tallest bridge in the US.
References
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