Seufert Viaduct

Information and Findings From Oregon's Historic Bridge Inventory

General Description of Columbia River Highway

The building of the Columbia River Highway was the first concerted highway building effort of the newly created Oregon State Highway Commission in cooperation with the counties through which it passed. Championed by a number of notable Oregonian's, including Simon Benson, John B. Yeon, Samuel Hill, Julius Meier and Rufus Holman, they promoted the highway as both an important link between the east and west of Oregon and as a scenic route, showing off the beautiful Columbia River Gorge. In order to match the scenic qualities of the Gorge and meet the most modern highway standards of the day, the many bridges required along the route were designed to be both graceful and strong. To accomplish this at each site, the engineers created a wide variety of bridge types, including many concrete deck arches, often designed to be viewed from pedestrian lookouts. Together, the 25 bridges and viaducts stretching across three counties comprise one of the best collections of reinforced concrete structures in America. The bridges in Wasco County were among the last to be built and show many of the characteristic features of McCullough designs.

Description of Bridge

Six 40-ft reinforced concrete girder spans with arched facades, curved pier caps and bush hammered panels

Designer

C.B. McCullough (State Bridge Engineer), L.W. Metzger (Design Engineer)

Character Defining Features

Location on historic Columbia River Highway, Decorative features and railings, Structure type

Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: Yes