Near Florence in Lane County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)
Technology Spans
A Sea-Sculptured Landscape
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 26, 2015
1. Technology Spans Marker
If this historic bridge and tunnel weren’t here, what would it be like to cross Cape Creek?
Engineers building the Pacific Coast Highway in the early 1930s encountered an unusual challenge here at Cape Creek, a deep, offset gorge, carved over thousands of years by the power of sea and creek.
Famed bridge designer Conde B. McCullough, a State Bridge Engineer, used both old and new technology to meet the challenge. His Cape Creek Bridge design is similar to Roman aqueducts, with two lower viaduct sections supporting a taller, open-spandrel deck arch.
McCullough used a cutting-edge technology in this Roman-inspired design: steel-reinforced concrete.
"You can't help but wonder how in the dickens the great state of Oregon wants to make an expenditure like this to cross a little creek which isn't more than knee deep."
The Siuslaw Oar, November 7, 1931
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Bridges & Viaducts • Man-Made Features • Roads & Vehicles.
Location.
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 26, 2015
2. Marker detail: Bridge-builders community
A community was set up for the workers on the east side of the bridge.
Living in the community was conveniently close to work, but also rustic.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Heceta Head Lightstation (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hard Work at a Lonely Light (approx. ¼ mile away); Road Behind And Sea Beyond (approx. 0.3 miles away); Designed for Seafarer Safety (approx. 0.4 miles away); A Battle With the Elements (approx. 0.4 miles away); Giant Spruce of Cape Perpetua (approx. 10.3 miles away); Harbor Theater (approx. 11.6 miles away); The Kyle Building (approx. 11.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Florence.
Regarding Technology Spans. National Register of Historic Places (2005)
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Also see . . . Cape Creek Bridge,... Florence, Lane County, OR (Historic American Buildings Survey). (Submitted on January 27, 2018.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 26, 2015
3. Marker detail: Cape Creek Bridge c1931
Cape Creek Bridge before the connecting sections of Highway 101 were paved.
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 26, 2015
4. Marker detail: Cape Creek Bridge and tunnel under construction c1931
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 26, 2015
5. Cape Creek Tunnel (south portal; as viewed from Oregon Coast Highway)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 26, 2015
6. Technology Spans Marker (wide view; Cape Creek Bridge in background)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 26, 2015
7. Cape Creek Bridge (west side of bridge as viewed from marker)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 26, 2015
8. Cape Creek Bridge (east side of bridge as viewed en route to marker)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 19, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 25, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 140 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 25, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 27, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 5. submitted on January 28, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 6, 7. submitted on January 27, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 8. submitted on January 28, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
