Maple Street Bridge (Spokane, Washington) Explained

Maple Street Bridge
Coordinates:47.6594°N -117.4347°W
Mapframe-Zoom:12
Carries:Automobiles, Trucks, Pedestrians
Crosses:Spokane River and Peaceful Valley
Locale:Spokane, Washington U.S.
Other Name:Maple Street Toll Bridge
(1958–1990)
Named For:Maple Street
Owner:City of Spokane Department of Streets
Design:Girder bridge
Length:[1]
Lanes:4[2]
Begin:1956
Cost:$6 million (1956)[3]
($ in)
Traffic:40,600 (2015)
Toll:$0.10 (1958–1981)
$0.25 (1981–1990)
Toll removed in 1990

The Maple Street Bridge is a girder bridge in the northwest United States in Spokane, Washington. It spans West Central to Downtown, crossing over the Spokane River and the Peaceful Valley neighborhood.[4] Along with the Division Street Bridge and Monroe Street Bridge, the Maple Street Bridge is one of several major bridges that cross the Spokane River.[5]

The bridge is in length, stands above the river, with a deck that is 50feet wide. It has two-lane traffic in both directions, and a caged pedestrian walkway. As of 2015, the Maple Street Bridge has an average daily traffic of 40,600 vehicles.

History

Construction began in 1956 and the Maple Street Bridge opened on July 1, 1958.[6] The bridge cost $6 million dollars to construct,[7] and required a ten-cent toll on vehicles from 1958 to 1981.[8] During the first three hours, over 1,600 vehicles crossed the new bridge.[9] The price was raised to 25 cents from 1981 to 1990, when the toll was removed.

Accidents

During construction in December 1957, an iron worker was killed when he fell 90feet from a wooden platform.[10] [11]

In 2008, a teen died by accidentally falling from the Maple Street Bridge.[12]

See also

List of crossings of the Spokane River

Notes and References

  1. News: Maple Street Bridge Opened . Spokane Daily Chronicle . July 1, 1958 . 1.
  2. News: Cars to roll over Maple span today . Spokesman-Review . July 1, 1958 . 1.
  3. News: Maple bridge ready for opening tomorrow . Spokane Daily Chronicle . June 30, 1958 . 14.
  4. Web site: Maple Street Bridge . Bridgehunter.com.
  5. News: Tinsley . Jesse . April 1, 2019 . Then and Now: Maple Street Bridge . The Spokesman-Review . November 8, 2022.
  6. Web site: MAPLE STREET over SPOKANE RIVER Spokane County, Washington Bridge Inspection Report . Tallahassee Democrat . en.
  7. Web site: Cherny . Nikolai . The Maple Street Bridge . Spokane Historical . en.
  8. News: Toll hike plan dies . Spokesman-Review . Roberts . Jack . March 6, 1981 . 16.
  9. News: 1617 cars use new span in first 3 hours of toll . Spokesman-Review . July 2, 1958 . 1.
  10. News: Bridge worker dies in fall . Spokane Daily Chronicle . December 27, 1957 . 1.
  11. News: 90-foot fall kills Spokane iron worker worker. Lewiston Morning Tribune . Associated Press . December 28, 1957 . 6.
  12. Web site: Teen dies after falling from the Maple Street Bridge . April 4, 2008. KHQ.