US-3505208 Alsea Bay Bridge near Waldport, Oregon

The Alsea Bay Bridge crosses Alsea Bay and is located near Waldport, Oregon.

This postcard from Judy (31 July 2015) Postcrossing shows the second Alsea Bay Bridge. The first bridge was opened in 1936. It was a 3,011 feet (918 m) long, reinforced-concrete combination deck and through arch bridge.

The hostile environment caused significant corrosion to the steel reinforcements. In the mid-1980s it was decided to replace the bridge rather than continuing costly rehabilitation efforts. The first bridge was demolished in 1991.

Construction of the second bridge (shown on the postcard) began in 1988 and it was opened in the fall of 1991 at a cost of $42.4 million. The bridge is 2,910 ft (890 m) in total length with a 450 ft (140 m) main span that provides 70 ft (21 m). of vertical clearance. The bridge has a latex concrete deck and the piers are significantly thicker than normal in an attempt to thwart corrosion.  The bridge now serves Oregon Coast Highway 101 traffic.