BGuthrie Photos: AZ -- Glen Canyon Natl Recreation Area -- Navajo Bridge

AZ -- Glen Canyon Natl Recreation Area -- Navajo Bridge:

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Copyrights: All pictures were taken by amateur photographer Bruce Guthrie (me!) who retains copyright on them. Free for non-commercial use with attribution. See the [Creative Commons] definition of what this means. "Photos (c) Bruce Guthrie" is fine for attribution. (Commercial use folks including AI scrapers can of course contact me.) Feel free to use in publications and pages with attribution but you don't have permission to sell the photos themselves. A free copy of any printed publication using any photographs is requested. Descriptive text, if any, is from a mixture of sources, quite frequently from signs at the location or from official web sites; copyrights, if any, are retained by their original owners.

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Specific picture descriptions: Photos above with "i" icons next to the bracketed sequence numbers (e.g. "[1] ") are described as follows:
1. NAVBRD_120719_008.JPG: Historic Navajo Bridge Dedicated June 14-15, 1929 The Vital Link: When the Historic Navajo Bridge opened on January 12, 1929, Flagstaff's newspaper, the Coconino Sun, called it "the biggest news in Southwest history." It was the only bridge across the Colorado River for some 600 miles (965 km) and was a vital link in the first direct highway route between Arizona and Utah. By easing access to this remote and rugged region, the bridge played a valuable and lasting role in transportation, commerce and tourism in northern Arizona and southern Utah. A 500 Pound Shot! When the historic Navajo Bridge was constructed in 1929, blasting the canyon walls was permitted. "The closing of the two great halves of the arch bridging the Colorado River has marked a milestone in the history of highway construction in Arizona." -- Ralph A Hoffman, State Bridge Engineer 1928 Ribbons of Steel: The historic Navajo Bridge was constructed as two cantilevered arch halves, each extending 305 ft (94 m) over the gorge. The Flagstaff side of the arch was erected first and took two months to complete. The Fredonia side of the arch was finished two and a half months later. The arch was closed on September 12, 1928. Tale of the Tape: At the time of its construction, the historic Navajo Bridge was the highest steel arch bridge in the world. * Total length: 834 ft (254 m) * Steel arch length: 616 ft (188 m) * Arch rise: 90 ft (27.4 m) * Height above the river: 467 ft (142 m) * Width of the roadway: 18 ft (5.5 m) * Amount of steel: 2.4 million lbs (1,689,000 kg) * Amount of concrete: 500 cu yards (385 m) * Amount of steel reinforcement: 82,000 lbs (37,000 kg) * Construction cost: $390 thousand
2. NAVBRD_120719_012.JPG: Natural Barriers to Exploration and Transportation Native People... For centuries, the Colorado River and its deep canyons have been formidable natural barriers to travel, but for hundreds of miles the preferred crossing of the river has always been here, near Marble Canyon. Archeological evidence and oral tradition indicate that native people frequently forded the Colorado River in this vicinity when natural river flows were low enough to make crossing possible. Explorers... In 1776 to Franciscan priests, Fray Francisco Antanasio Dominguez and Fray Silvestre Velez de Escalante, led an expedition across this area in search of an overland route to California. Because they anticipated being followed by soldiers, priests, and settlers, the Dominguez-Escalante expedition provided the first written record of this region. Almost 100 years later, in 1869, the Colorado River gained fame from the writings of Major John Wesley Powell, who conducted by boat the first scientific exploration of the Colorado River. Powell led a second expedition in 1871-72. His purpose was to determine if the river was navigable, map the river's canyons, and record geologic formations. Settlers... A ferry crossing of the Colorado River began operating at the mouth of the Paria River in 1871. The crossing is widely known as Lee's Ferry, after its first operator, John Doyle Lee. During the 19th century, thousands of pioneers crossed the Colorado River at Lee's Ferry. The wagon route became known as the "Honeymoon Trail" because recently married Mormons from new settlements in Arizona traveled this route to St. George, Utah to have their marriages sanctioned in the Mormon Temple. and Modern Travelers... In 1929, the historic Navajo Bridge replaced Lee's Ferry river crossing. The bridge was so significant to this remote and rugged region that more than 5,000 people attended the dedication ceremony. Since then, travelers enroute to and through some of this country's most magnificent landscapes, have crossed the Colorado River in relative comfort and convenience by automobile. "Nowhere in North America, and in very few localities in the world, are there any such barriers to road building as the Grand Canyon of the Colorado" --W.G. Lubertivre State Engineer 1926
3. NAVBRD_120719_023.JPG: Navajo bridge Dedicated September 14, 1995 Bridging the Past and the Future When the historic Navajo Bridge was built in 1928 it was never intended to carry the larger, heavier vehicles of today. A second bridge -- wider and stronger than the first -- was needed. The challenge for the Arizona Department of Transportation was to build a bridge for modern transportation needs that was sensitive to the environment and compatible with the historic bridge. The second bridge continues the tradition of the first -- to maintain an important transportation corridor to some of the world's most spectacular natural wonders. Techniques used during the construction of the second bridge mitigated environmental damage. To protect the visual character of the project site, excavated rock was removed in small, manageable pieces, and a steel cable net caught debris that otherwise might fall into the river. Ironworkers, 470 feet (143m) above the Colorado River, install the center pin that connects the two halves of the steel arch main span. The pin was set on October 14, 1994, seven months after steel erection had begun. Techniques used during the construction of the second bridge mitigated environmental damage. To protect the visual character of the project site, excavated rock was removed in small, manageable pieces, and a steel cable net caught debris that otherwise might fall into the river. Techniques used to construct the historic Navajo Bridge in 1928 were used 67 years later to construct the second bridge. The steel arch was erected in two cantilevered sections, each extending 363 feet (111m) from the canyon walls. A movable crane lifted and placed the steel members so that ironworkers could bolt them into place. Tale of the Tape * Total Length - 909 ft (277m) * Steel Arch Length - 726 ft (221m) * Arch rise - 90 ft (27.4m) * Height above river - 470 ft (143m) * Width of roadway - 44 ft (13.4m) * Amount of steel - 13.9 million lbs (1,762,000kgs) * Amount of concrete - 1,790 cu. yds. (1,370 m2) * Amount of steel reinforcement - 434,000 lbs (197,000kgs) * Construction cost - $14.7 million "We respect the historic Navajo Bridge because its design and construction triumphed over difficult site and technical problems. The major challenges for the second bridge were environmental concerns and coordination with government agencies that didn't exist when the first bridge was built." -- Jerry A. Cannon, Bridge Engineer, 1995
4. NAVBRD_120719_075.JPG: Wayside Observation Shelter Although the historic Navajo Bridge was opened in 1929, the road from Flagstaff to Kanab, Utah, wasn't paved completely until 1937. The improved road encouraged automobile travel, and motorists often stopped here to enjoy views of the colorful canyon and the graceful steel arch bridge. The Civilian Conservation Corps constructed the Wayside Observation Shelter between 1938 and 1941 to accommodate the increase in visitors to this site. The shelter's rustic architecture is intended to resemble the remains of an early pioneer building and is typical of architecture you will see throughout the national park system in the west.
5. NAVBRD_120719_079.JPG: Lee's Ferry Northern gateway to Arizona for 54 years-from 1873 to 1827-is located six miles upstream from this bridge. This monument erected to the founder John Doyle Lee who, with superhuman effort and in the face of almost insurmountable obstacles, maintained this ferry which made possible the colonization of Arizona. Frontiersman, trail blazer, builder. A man of great faith, sound judgment, and indomitable courage. Authority for erection of this monument granted by the State of Arizona 1961
6. NAVBRD_120719_084.JPG: In memory of the adverturesome spirit of Gilbert H. Hansen who became part of the river he loved near Powells Music Temple in Glen Canyon May 5, 1912 - May 17, 1957
7. NAVBRD_120719_093.JPG: They Run The Rivers Of Eternity In Memory Of Norman D. Nevills April 9, 1908 - September 19, 1949 And Doris - His Wife March 11, 1914 - September 19, 1949 Who Sought & Ran & Mastered The Wild & Secret Waters San Juan River - Green River - Colorado River - Grand Canyon - Salmon River - Snake River By The Rivers They Loved So Well, In The Desert That Was Their Home, This Record Is Placed By The Canyoneers
8. NAVBRD_120719_101.JPG: In loving memory Lovie "Dee" Reiff who with all her heart dearly loved this canyon country April 10, 1913 - Feb. 15, 1958 Hoyeh de Atin
9. NAVBRD_120719_107.JPG: In honor of Warren Marshall Johnson 1839-1902 who, with his wives, Permella Jane Smith and Samantha Nelson, were called in 1875 by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to operate Lees Ferry. The Johnson family, including 20 sons and daughters, operated the ferry until 1895. January 1997 [Note that John Lee, who created the ferry in 1871, was forced to abandon it as he fled charges stemming from his involvement in the 1857 Mountain Meadows Massacre. He was executed in 1877.]
10. NAVBRD_120719_113.JPG: Marble Canyon Lodge A tourist lodge and trading post have operated near this site since 1929. Without them, travel through this isolated region would have been far more difficult. Marble Canyon Lodge was already in operation when the historic Navajo Bridge was dedicated on June 14, 1929. The lodge was financed initially by Lorenzo Hubbell and operated by Buck Lowrey. Hubbell assumed ownership in 1937, and Kyle Bales purchased the lodge in 1949. In 1959, Jane Bales Foster inherited it. The Foster family continues to operate Marble Canyon Lodge. The original lodge building has been restored and stands 0.4km (1/4 mile) west of this marker. January 1997
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Wikipedia Description: Navajo Bridge
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Navajo Bridge crosses the Colorado River's Marble Canyon near Lee's Ferry in the US state of Arizona. Apart from the Glen Canyon Bridge a few miles upstream at Page, Arizona, it is the only roadway crossing of the river and the Grand Canyon for nearly 600 miles (970 km). Spanning Marble Canyon, the bridge carries northbound travelers to southern Utah and to the Arizona Strip, the otherwise inaccessible portion of Arizona north of the Colorado River, which includes the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.

Prior to the construction of the first Navajo Bridge, the only river crossing from Arizona to Utah was at nearby Lee's Ferry, where the canyon walls are low and getting vehicles onto the water is relatively convenient. The ferry offered only unreliable service, however, as adverse weather and flooding regularly prevented its operation.

History

Construction of the original Navajo Bridge began in 1927, and the bridge opened to traffic in 1929. It was paid for by the nascent Arizona State Highway Commission (now the Arizona Department of Transportation) in cooperation with the United States Department of the Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs, as the eastern landing is on the Navajo Nation. The steel spandrel bridge design was constructed by the Kansas City Structural Steel Company. The bridge is 834 feet (254 m) in length, with a maximum height of 467 feet (142 m) from the canyon floor. Its roadway offers an 18-foot (5.5 m) surface width with a load capacity of 22.5 tons (although the posted legal weight limit was 40 tons). During the design phase, a wider roadway was considered, but ultimately rejected, as it would have required a costly third arch to be added to the design, and the vehicles of the time did not necessitate the wider road.

In 1990, however, it was decided that the traffic flow was too great for the original bridge, and that a new solution was needed. The sharp corners in the road ...More...
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Same Subject: Click on this link to see coverage of items having the same subject: [Park (Natl Recreation Area)] [Display ALL Park (Natl Recreation Area) photos] [Transportation (Road)]
2012 photos: Equipment this year: My mainstays were the Fuji S100fs, Nikon D7000, and the new Fuji X-S1. I also used an underwater Fuji XP50 and a Nikon D600. The first three cameras all broke this year and had to be repaired. Trips this year: three Civil War Trust conferences (Shepherdstown, WV, Richmond, VA, and Williamsburg, VA), a week-long family reunion cruise of the Caribbean, another week-long family reunion in the Wisconsin Dells (with lots of in-transit time in Ohio and Indiana), and my 7th consecutive San Diego Comic-Con trip (including side trips to Zion, Bryce, the Grand Canyon, etc). Ego strokes: I had a picture of Miss DC, Ashley Boalch, published in the Washington Post. I had a photograph of the George Segal San Francisco Holocaust memorial used as the cover of Quebec Francais (issue 165). Not being able to read French, I'm not entirely sure what the article is about but, hey! And I guess what could be considered to be a positive thing, my site is now established enough that spammers have noticed it and I had to block 17,000 file description postings for Viagra and whatever else.. Number of photos taken this year: just below 410,000.
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