Uncredited photos on this page taken by: Nathan Holth and Rick McOmber. Unless stated in a caption, all photos are Copyright with All Rights Reserved. Learn about reuse of our photos.
All Photos Provided Courtesy Friends of Miami and Shirley Malan
Site preparation.
Pile driving.
Footings for the piers.
Pier construction.
Overview of construction, early stages.
Some of the first superstructure steel to arrive can be seen here.
Views at Missouri River, including views showing crane and causeway.
Some of the first approach span superstructure spans are erected.
Continuing pier construction.
Overview of construction site.
View at Missouri River.
Parts and equipment on site.
Main pier construction.
Overviews at construction site showing major substructure work progressing at and in the Missouri River.
Continuing approach span construction.
Anchor arm erection begins.
Overview of construction site as anchor arm erection continues.
Anchor arm erection nears completion.
Construction site overview.
Cantilever arm construction well underway.
Main span and approach spans leading up to the main spans are well underway, but the earth approach has not been created.
Continuing abutment work.
Overview showing main span erection well underway and pier construction nearing completion.
Construction progress viewed from on the deck.
This is a very intriguing and informative photo. It shows that the bridge's cantilever superstructure was constructed from north to south. The earlier and traditional form of cantilever construction included constructing the cantilever bridge from the towers outward. In addition, the suspended span would be the final part to be erected, and would often be built off-site and lifted into place off of the river. However, because this bridge was simply erected from one end to the other, extensive falsework, which is visible in this photo as three temporary piers, was required to support the suspended span and the cantilever arm, since at this point there was not yet a cantilever arm at the other end to hold the weight and balance the structure out.
The south anchor arm takes shape.
Overview of the nearly completed superstructure.
View on the deck.
View on the cantilever span deck, with deck rebar in place but the concrete not yet poured.
The cantilever spans are completed, although the falsework remains in place.
The superstructure is now fully erected including the deck truss span and stringer spans at the southern end. Falsework under the southern half of the cantilever is removed, but remains on the northern half. The large object on the deck appears to be a forge, likely used to heat rivets.
Overview of completed superstructure, although the earth approach is still not yet constructed.
Overview of bridge showing continuing deck work.
Views on cantilever spans showing continuing deck work.
Overview of bridge, with earth approach now constructed.
Portal view showing continuing deck work.
Portal views showing completed deck work.
View beside the bridge, which appears to be for all practical purposes complete.
Elevation of completed bridge, with construction causeway still in place.
Portal views on completed bridge.
Overview of completed bridge newly opened to traffic.
