Tourist attractions, suppliers and places worth visiting

Bridges in the USA and Canada

While the USA and Canada do not have a monopoly on magnificent bridges, they certainly have their fair share. The following list suggests some significant bridges that you may wish to drive across and observe if you are in their area.

Some of these bridges have tolls. Some of these bridges have parking areas nearby from which they can be observed; a few also have visitor centres.
 
 

Astoria Bridge

There is a magnificent steel girder bridge over the Columbia River near its mouth at Astoria. The bridge carries US101, the Pacific Coast Highway, between Oregon and Washington State. Toll. It was near here that the members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition spent the winter before commencing their return journey.

Blue Ridge Parkway - James River Crossing

At milepost 63 of the Blue Ridge Parkway. There is a visitor centre, a restored canal lock and a picnic area. The top level of the bridge carries the Parkway, beneath which there is a pedestrian walkway which not only leads to the canal lock exhibit but which also affords excellent views of the river. No toll. Concrete bridge. Picture (14KB)

Blue Ridge Parkway - Linn Cove Viaduct

At milepost 305 of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Linn Cove Viaduct was the final section of the Parkway to be completed. There is a Visitor Centre from which a short trail leads under part of the viaduct. No toll. Concrete viaduct.

Carquinez Bridge, San Francisco Area

Carries I-80 between Vallejo and the East Bay area. Crosses the waterway which connects San Pablo Bay and Suisun Bay. Toll. Suspension bridge.

Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel connects the tip of the Delmarva peninsula with the town of Norfolk, Virginia. Lengthy causeway with an elevated section and two tunnels between pairs of artificial islands. Toll.

Colorado River Bridge - Page, Arizona

Alongside the Glen Canyon Dam. No toll. Steel arch bridge.

Columbia River Bridges

Examples along that part of Columbia River where it separates Washington State from Oregon include the steel girder bridge which carries US97 over the river east of The Dalles and the huge bridge at Astoria near the mouth of the river.

Confederation Bridge, Prince Edward Island

The recently opened Confederation Bridge connects Prince Edward Island to the mainland. Toll. Concrete bridge.

Covered Bridges

A number of preserved wooden covered bridges can be seen in New England.

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California

The Golden Gate Bridge carries the Pacific Coast Highway (US101 and California State Road 1) across the gap between the two peninsulas which nearly enclose San Francisco Bay. Toll. Suspension bridge.

Hudson River Bridges, New York State

Mostly toll.

International Bridge, Sault Ste Marie

Links Michigan's Upper Peninsula and Ontario, Canada. Toll. Steel girder bridge.

Mackinaw Bridge, Michigan

Connects Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsulas. Toll. Suspension bridge. Nicknamed the "Big Mac" bridge.

Mississippi River Bridges

There are bridges at Natchez, Vicksburg and many other places on the Great River Road. Mostly no toll. Mostly steel girder bridges.

Natchez Trace Parkway - bridge over Tennessee State Road 96

Near the northern terminus of the Natchez Trace Parkway, not far from Franklin, Tennessee. No toll. Concrete arch bridge.

Natchez Trace Parkway - Tennessee River Bridge over Pickwick Lake

At milepost 328 of the Natchez Trace Parkway. Nearby picnic area with viewpoint. No toll. Concrete bridge.

New River Bridge, West Virginia

This may be on I-64 east of Beckley or perhaps on US19 north of Beckley. There is a parking lot and observation area a short distance from one end of the bridge. No toll. Steel arch bridge. Picture (25KB)

New York City Bridges

A number of bridges cross the Hudson and East Rivers and other waterways to connect the various boroughs of New York City, including the Brooklyn Bridge, the George Washington Bridge and the Verrazano Narrows Bridge.

Niagara Falls Bridges

There are several bridges over the Niagara River in the Niagara Falls area.

Oakland Bay Bridge

Carries I-80 over San Francisco Bay and through Treasure Island. This is not exactly a beautiful bridge, but it is interesting. Toll. Steel girder bridge.

Ohio River Bridges

Example include the bridge which carries I-77 over the Ohio at Marietta.

Parry Sound Railway Bridge, Ontario

A steel girder bridge carries a railway high above the town of Parry Sound.

Rio Grande River Bridge, New Mexico (US64, west of Taos)

There is a parking lot at one end of the bridge from which pedestrians can walk across alongside the roadway. No toll. Steel arch bridge.

Royal Gorge Bridge, Colorado

The Royal Gorge area is a tourist attraction, featuring not only the bridge but also a cable car and an incline railway. Entrance fee. Suspension bridge.

San Francisco Bay Bridges

There are several bridges in the San Francisco Bay area. Mostly toll.

Seattle Area Bridges, Washington State

There are three floating bridges close to Seattle on Lake Washington. The New Lacey V. Murrow Floating Bridge replaced an earlier bridge which sank. Next to it is the Homer M. Hadley Floating Bridge. Picture (29KB)

The third and longest floating bridge close to Seattle is The Governor Albert D. Rosselini (Evergreen Point) Floating Bridge.

There is a fourth floating bridge in the Seattle area, namely the Hood Canal Floating Bridge across Puget Sound, northwest of Seattle.

The Tacoma Narrows Bridge is the replacement for the famous earlier suspension bridge which collapsed due to resonance. The replacement is also a suspension bridge.

Many thanks to Steven Arnold who supplied not only the detailed information for this entry, but also the excellent photograph (29KB) of two of the floating bridges.

Seven Mile Bridge, Overseas Highway, Florida

Of the many bridges and causeways of the Overseas Highway the Seven Mile Bridge just west of Marathon is the longest. No toll. Causeway.

Snake River Bridge, Twin Falls, Idaho

Connects the town of Twin Falls to I-84. No toll. Steel arch bridge.

St Lawrence River Bridges

There are a number of bridges across the St Lawrence River, both where it forms the border between Ontario and New York State and to a lesser extent in the Province of Quebec where the river is wider. Mostly toll.

Sunshine Skyway, Tampa/St Petersburg, Florida

Carries I-275 across the mouth of Tampa Bay. Toll. The previous twin steel girder bridges have now been replaced by a single cable-stayed bridge.
 
 

Various Highway Bridges and Viaducts

There are numerous examples of impressive highway bridges throughout the USA and Canada. One example of a road with numerous such bridges is the road from Asheville, North Carolina to Marietta, Ohio.

Various Railway Bridges

Numerous railway bridges can be seen from adjacent highways. Designs vary and some of the older steel girder bridges look somewhat precarious. There are still a number of wooden trestle railroad bridges still in existence, but they tend to be small.
Scenic Roads 
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