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, officially known as the Ed Hendler Bridge, connects the cities of Pasco and Kennewick in southeastern Washington. It carries State Route 397 over the wide Columbia River. This impressive bridge was built in 1978. It took the place of an older bridge from 1922, which was later taken down in 1990.
The Cable Bridge is a special landmark in the Tri-Cities area. While there are other bridges nearby, like the Blue Bridge and several railroad bridges, the Cable Bridge is unique. It is the only one that carries regular road traffic, not just freeway traffic.
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What is a Cable-Stayed Bridge?
The Cable Bridge is a type of structure called a cable-stayed bridge. This design uses strong cables that stretch from tall towers down to the bridge deck. These cables help to hold up the road, making the bridge very strong and stable. The Ed Hendler Bridge was one of the first major cable-stayed bridges built in the United States.
It was mostly made from a special material called prestressed concrete. This concrete is made extra strong by pulling on steel cables inside it before it hardens. The bridge's towers were built first. Then, the road sections were lifted into place and connected to each other.
Naming the Bridge
The bridge is named after Ed Hendler. He was a local insurance salesman and a former mayor of Pasco. Mr. Hendler played a big part in getting the money needed to build the bridge. He passed away in August 2001.
Lights and Upgrades
In 1998, lights were added to the bridge. These lights make the bridge glow beautifully at night. At first, some people wondered if the lights were necessary. However, they became a beloved feature. The lights were turned off for a short time during a power shortage in 2000. They were turned back on for one night to honor Ed Hendler after he passed away. Today, the lights shine every night until 2 AM.
The bridge has also received important safety updates. In March 2007, the old guardrails, which were steel cables, were replaced. The new system uses stronger steel rails. These rails are bolted securely to the bridge deck, making it even safer for everyone who crosses.
The original sodium vapor lights on the bridge have been replaced with modern, programmable LED lights. These new lights can change colors for special events, adding even more beauty to the landmark.
A Symbol for the Tri-Cities
Since it first opened, the Cable Bridge has been a proud symbol of the Tri-Cities. Every winter, a popular event called the Lampson Cable Bridge Run takes place. Runners can choose from different distances: one mile, five kilometers, or ten kilometers. All races start near the Lampson International headquarters at the Kennewick end of the bridge. This event brings the community together and celebrates the bridge.
Near the Kennewick side of the bridge, there is a special memorial. It honors veterans from the Tri-Cities area. You can also visit a scenic lookout nearby. This lookout is actually part of the old bridge that the Cable Bridge replaced. From there, you get a great view of the modern Ed Hendler Bridge.
