A New Span Across the Columbia
A state-sanctioned franchise promises a steel bridge at Vantage Ferry, linking the North Central highway and opening the high desert to faster travel.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
Elbert M. Chandler, formerly a resident of Yakima, has been given a franchise to construct a steel bridge across the Columbia River at Vantage Ferry. A contract to this effect has just been closed with the board of county commissioners of Kittitas County. The bridge will be of steel, about 1,700 feet in length, with the spans supported upon concrete piers. Actual construction will not take over 10 or 12 months. The contract provides that the counties or state may purchase the bridge at a reasonable value at the time of sale. Chandler must build all structures used for approaches and keep them in repair, and the present real property of the two counties at the ferry is to be purchased by him when the bridge is completed. With a bridge across the Columbia River at this point and the road improved, travel over the North Central highway will be greatly increased.
“With a bridge across the Columbia river at this point and the road improved travel over the North Central highway will be greatly increased.”
The original Vantage Bridge (later replaced) was a pivotal moment for regional connectivity, effectively shrinking the vast distance across the Columbia River. Today, the I-90 bridge serves as a vital corridor, though it remains a point of constant debate regarding maintenance and regional transit capacity.
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