Near Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Cold Spring Arch Bridge

Historic Civil Engineering Landmark

— ASCE —

Cold Spring Arch Bridge Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker

1. Cold Spring Arch Bridge Marker

Inscription.
The Cold Spring Arch Bridge, built by the California Department of Transportation, at the time of construction was one of the longest steel arch bridges built in the United States. It was also one of the first major arch structures to use all welded steel sections. This bridge, with its accompanying road realignment, resulted in a safer and shorter travel from the City of Santa Barbara to and from the Santa Ynez Valley. George Hood was the senior design engineer and Mr. Fred Yoshino was the resident engineer during construction.

Construction started June 1962.
Construction completed January 1964.

Designated 1976.
Plaque placed 2004.

Erected 2004 by American Society of Civil Engineers.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the ASCE Civil Engineering Landmarks series list. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1964.

Location. 34° 31.669′ N, 119° 49.996′ W. Marker is near Santa Barbara, California, in Santa Barbara County. It is on Stagecoach Road near San Marcos Pass Road (California Route 154). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Santa Barbara CA 93105, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on California’s Central Coast,

specifically on the Coast Ranges,

and specifically in the Transverse Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within

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7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Old Stagecoach Route (approx. 0.3 miles away); Cold Spring Tavern (approx. 0.6 miles away); Chumash Painted Cave (approx. 3.1 miles away); Cathedral Oaks Schoolhouse, 1877 (approx. 5.7 miles away); Goleta Depot (approx. 6 miles away); Ovington's Hangar (approx. 6.4 miles away); Sexton House (approx. 6½ miles away); Earle Ovington Terminal (approx. 7.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Santa Barbara.

Regarding Cold Spring Arch Bridge. This is currently the highest arch bridge in California and among the highest bridges in the United States. The bridge deck is 400 feet above the canyon floor. At 1,217 feet long, is also the largest steel arch bridge in the state. The structure won awards for engineering, design, and beauty. It was determined to be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places with exceptional significance.

Stagecoach Road is the stretch of original highway bypassed by the bridge.

Cold Spring Arch Bridge and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker

2. Cold Spring Arch Bridge and Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 3, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 16, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 525 times since then and 59 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 16, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.