Construction of the Fremont Bridge took several years, starting in the late 1960s, and it was opened in November, 1973. Perhaps the most dramatic part of construction, however, took place on March 16, 1973 when the central span, built in California and barged to Portland, was lifted into place.
The Oregonian reported the next day:
The biggest bridge lift in U.S. History ended at 5:30 pm Friday as 32 hydraulic jacks took their final bite on the 6,000-ton Fremont Bridge center span and hoisted it the final 2 1/4 inches into position.
Ironworkers immediately began fastening side plates to the 902-foot center span and the bridge approach ironwork so the arch would not sway over the weekend.
Engineers and ironworkers were told as soon as the plates were fastened that they could knock off for the weekend.
The Fremont Bridge is the second longest tied arch bridge in the world, only the Caiyuanba Bridge in China is longer. Until Tilikum Crossing opened in September 2015, the Fremont was the newest bridge spanning the Willamette River in Portland.
I think you’re off by a year. The lift took place March 16, 1973, not 1972.
Thanks Brian! I updated the post. I had even cited the Oregonian story, which of course appeared in the 1973 paper, but my mistake persisted. Doh!
Looking if there are any other pictures my grandfather was apart of this project. Was on arch as being lifted into place.trying to find some more family memories
Hello.
Do you know of any footage that exists of the lift?
Thanks
Yes my uncle and his brother straightened this bridge as the bridge didn’t quite meet the approaches. My uncle Dave Holt and his brother Dan Holt Stayed at my parents house off and on while working on the huge span.
When I worked for a Pittsburgh engineering firm, I did the closure analysis in order for it to be bolted together under zero stress. The dead load stresses were jacked in at the supports.
For more information and photos, see the ENR article on the lift.
Fremont bridge center span was build along swan island on dolphins and then barged into place by Knappton Towboat Co.
I drove down, in my recently purchased, a couple weeks before, silver 1970 Datsun 1600 Sports Roadster, [with 29,000 original miles on it] appearing just like new, to photograph the 32 hydraulic jacks at the point of about halfway lifting the center span into place that afternoon. I was a young 18 1/2 year old photography student at Mount Hood Community College, with my also purchased in past recent months, a new Mamiya/Sekor 35mm film camera. I took beautiful photographs of the Center Span hanging there halfway up from the water to its final bolted in position.
I kept those prints for many years and then misplaced or lost them. I’m hoping they’ll turn up again one day. Or at least just the negatives…
My recollection is that the span was constructed on Swan Island and barged the fairly short distance to its final location. I thought I had photos of the lift, but apparently I don’t. I would think the Oregonian would have archived photos.