Glenn L. Jackson Memorial Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Glenn Jackson Memorial Bridge |
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Aerial view, looking north
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| Coordinates | 45°35′35″N 122°32′55″W / 45.59306°N 122.54861°W |
| Carries | 8 lanes of  I-205 |
| Crosses | Columbia River |
| Locale | Portland, Oregon to Vancouver, Washington |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Concrete segmental bridge |
| Longest span | 600 ft (183 m) |
| Clearance below | 144 ft (43.9 m) |
| History | |
| Opened | December 15, 1982 |
| Statistics | |
| Daily traffic | 166,152 (2019) |
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The Glenn L. Jackson Memorial Bridge is a large bridge that crosses the Columbia River. It connects Vancouver, Washington and Portland, Oregon. This bridge is also known as the I-205 bridge. It is a special type of bridge called a segmental bridge, built from many separate pieces.
Contents
Building the Bridge
Planning for this huge bridge started in 1964. It was meant to be part of a new highway, Interstate 205. Construction began in August 1977.
How It Was Built
To avoid stopping river boats, the bridge was built in small parts. These parts, called segments, were very heavy. Each segment weighed more than 200 tons. Workers made these segments about 4 miles (6.4 km) downstream. Then, they used large barges to float them into place. This careful method allowed river traffic to continue.
Opening Day and Cost
The Glenn Jackson Bridge opened on December 15, 1982. The total cost to build it was about $169.6 million. Most of the money came from the U.S. government. Some funds also came from the states of Washington and Oregon.
Bridge Features
The bridge has two separate structures, one for each direction of traffic. It has four lanes for cars and trucks in each direction. This means there are eight lanes in total.
Path for People
In the middle of the bridge, there is a special path. This path is 9-foot-wide (2.7 m). It is used by people who are walking or riding bicycles.
Length and Height
The bridge is very long. From the Washington side to Government Island, it is about 7,460 ft (2,270 m) long. From Government Island to the Oregon side, it adds another 3,120 ft (951 m). The main part of the bridge, near the Washington side, is 600 ft (183 m) long. Boats can pass underneath it easily. There is 144 ft (44 m) of space between the bridge and the water when the river is low.
Who Was Glenn Jackson?
The bridge is named after Glenn Jackson. He was an important person in Oregon. He was the chairman of the Oregon State Highway Commission. Later, he also led the Oregon Economic Development Commission. The bridge was named in his honor.
Traffic on the Bridge
Many vehicles use the Glenn Jackson Bridge every day. In 2019, about 166,152 vehicles crossed the bridge on an average weekday.
Images for kids
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Under construction, looking east from the Columbia River around 1980-81
