Cable Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cable Bridge |
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| Coordinates | 46°13′6.25″N 119°6′13.73″W / 46.2184028°N 119.1038139°W |
| Carries | Four lanes of  SR 397, Sacagawea Heritage Trail |
| Crosses | Columbia River |
| Locale | Pasco–Kennewick, Washington |
| Official name | Ed Hendler Bridge |
| Maintained by | Washington State Dept. of Transportation |
| ID number | 085555000000000 |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Cable-stayed bridge |
| Total length | 2,503 ft (762.9 m) |
| Width | 80 ft (24.4 m) |
| Longest span | 981 ft (299.0 m) |
| Clearance below | 48 ft (14.6 m) |
| History | |
| Designer | John Clark, Arvid Grant, Holger S. Svensson |
| Opened | September 8, 1978 |
| Statistics | |
| Daily traffic | 16,129 (2012), 8,279 (1994) |
The Cable Bridge, also known as the Ed Hendler Bridge, connects Pasco and Kennewick in southeastern Washington. It carries State Route 397 over the Columbia River. This important bridge was finished in 1978. It took the place of an older bridge built in 1922, which was later taken down in 1990.
The Cable Bridge is one of seven big bridges in the Tri-Cities area. Other bridges include the Blue Bridge and the Interstate 182 Bridge. There are also bridges over the Snake River and several railroad bridges.
This bridge was officially opened on September 8, 1978. It was the first large cable-stayed bridge ever built in the United States. At that time, it was also the second-longest bridge of its kind in the world. The bridge was made mostly from a strong material called prestressed concrete. The towers were built first, then the bridge deck. The deck was made in separate pieces, lifted into place, and then joined together.
The bridge is named after Ed Hendler. He was an insurance salesman and former mayor of Pasco. Mr. Hendler led the group that helped get the money to build the bridge. He passed away in August 2001.
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Why is the Cable Bridge so special?
The Cable Bridge quickly became a very popular landmark in the Tri-Cities area. It is now an unofficial symbol of the region. People love its unique design and how it stands out.
Lights on the Bridge
In 1998, lights were added to make the bridge glow at night. Some people thought this was a waste of money and power. During a time when electricity was scarce in 2000, the lights were turned off. However, they were turned on for one night to honor Ed Hendler after he passed away. Today, the lights shine every night until 2 AM.
Bridge Upgrades
In March 2007, the old guard rails on the bridge were updated. The old system used steel cables. It was replaced with a stronger system of steel rails. These new rails are bolted directly to the bridge deck. This makes the bridge safer for everyone who uses it.
Fun Facts and Activities
Every winter, a fun event called the Lampson Cable Bridge Run takes place. It includes races of different lengths: one mile, five kilometers, and ten kilometers. All races start near the Lampson International building at the Kennewick end of the bridge. The longer races finish inside the Lampson Maintenance Shop. The one-mile race finishes outside.
At the Kennewick end of the bridge, you can find the Tri-Cities Vietnam Veterans Memorial. This memorial has the names of local heroes who died in the war. You can also see the last remaining pier of the old Pasco-Kennewick Bridge. This old pier is now a lookout spot. From there, you can get a great view of the modern Cable Bridge.
