Four Bears Bridge Explained

Fetchwikidata:coordinates
Bridge Name:Four Bears Bridge
Crosses:Lake Sakakawea
Mainspan:316feet
Begin:July 2003
Complete:2005
Cost:$55,000,000[1]

Four Bears Bridge is one of two bridges built over the Missouri River on the Fort Berthold Reservation in the U.S. state of North Dakota. It carries North Dakota Highway 23. The current bridge which opened in 2005 is the second largest bridge in the state and replaced an earlier bridge built in 1934. The 1934 bridge was moved in 1955 following the construction of the Garrison Dam and the creation of Lake Sakakawea.[2]

One worker was killed and three were injured when a portion of the new bridge collapsed during construction on November 30, 2004.

The current bridge is decorated with medallions reflecting the heritage of the Three Affiliated Tribes, the Mandan, Arikara and Hidatsa who inhabit the reservation. The bridge is named for two chiefs, one Mandan and one Hidatsa and both named Four Bears.

The bridge opened to traffic on September 2, 2005, at around 10:00 a.m. local time http://www.willistonherald.com/articles/2005/09/02/news/news4.txt. An official opening ceremony was held on October 3, 2005.

References


Notes and References

  1. Web site: Four Bears Steadily Crosses Sakakawea in ND : CEG.
  2. Web site: Four Bears Bridge dedication at Four Bears Monument, Elbowoods, N.D..