Rocky Creek Bridge - Oregon - Arch Bridges on Waymarking.com

The Rocky Creek (Ben Jones) Bridge No. 01089 spans Rocky Creek on a bypassed section (Otter Crest Loop) of the original Oregon Coast Highway No. 9 (US 101). The bridge was designed by Conde B. McCullough, the Oregon state bridge engineer from 1919 to 1936 who also designed many of the other historic bridges along the Oregon Coast. The bridge has a total length of 360 feet and is made up of a 160 foot reinforced-concrete ribbed parabolic deck arch flanked by ten 20-foot reinforced deck girder approach spans (five on each side). The bridge roadway has a 20-foot curb-to-curb width with two travel lanes and no sidewalks.

In 1955 the Oregon State Highway Department bypassed the Otter Crest section of the highway with a wider and straighter route. The old section was closed until local residents and tourist interest petitioned the State to reopen and maintain the old highway for leisure travel. Over the year the bridge deteriorated due to neglect and heavy loads from tour buses. In 2001, the Oregon Department of Transportation rehabilitated and reconstructed the Rocky Creek Bridge. The Oregon State Historic Preservation Office participated in the project development to ensure that the bridge’s historic characteristics were maintained.

The Rocky Creek Bridge was completed in 1927 and was dedicated on Sept.17, 1927 to Benjamin F. Jones. Jones is known as “the Father of the Roosevelt Highway” and was a prominent lawyer who helped establish Lincoln County in 1893. Jones is noted for introducing legislation in 1919 calling for construction of the Oregon Cast Highway. He died in 1925 and the bridge was dedicated to him posthumously.

Most of the information above comes from: (visit link)

A bridge viewpoint with interpretive signs is located at the south end of the bridge.

Text of dedication plaque:
Dedicated to Ben F. Jones
A pioneer of Lincoln County whose vision and efforts contributed largely to this highway.
Sept. 17, 1927.

Length of bridge: 360 feet What type of traffic does this bridge support?: Motor vehicles What kind of gap does this bridge cross?: Creek Date constructed: 1927 Is the bridge still in service for its original purpose?: Yes, but no longer the main road Name of road or trail the bridge services: Otter Crest Loop Road Location: The Rocky Creek Bridge is located about two miles south of Depoe Bay on the Otter Crest Loop. Height of bridge: Not listed

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Date Logged Log User Rating   06/23/2023 Moorephun visited it 10/17/2011 Volcanoguy visited it

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