Rainbow Bridge - Niagara Falls, NY and Ontario
Posted by: 
Rayman
N 43° 05.407 W 079° 04.066
17T E 657264 N 4772634
The Rainbow Bridge spans the Niagara Gorge within view of Niagara Falls.
Waymark Code: WM26JP
Location: New York, United States
Date Posted: 09/12/2007
Views: 311
The Rainbow Bridge replaced the Honeymoon Bridge (formally known as the Upper Steel Arch Bridge), which collapsed January 1938 because of an ice jam. The Niagara Falls Bridge Commission was formed immediately after to form a plan to construct and operate a new bridge nearby. By November of 1938, the commission chose Edward P. Lupfer, Inc. of Buffalo to design the new bridge.
In 1939, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth dedicated the site of the future Rainbow Bridge while on a visit to Niagara Falls. Construction began May 4, 1940 at a site 1000 feet north of the American Falls. Each of the main arch abutments are located 50 feet from the rivers edge and 50 feet above the surface of the water. The abutments were built about 28 feet higher than those of the Honeymoon Bridge to avoid future problems with ice jams.
The main span of this hingeless arch bridge consists of two steel box girder arches spaced 56 feet apart. Each arch is made up of 24 sections, 12 feet high and weighing 49-75 tons. About 3500 tons of steel were used in the two ribs with 2000 additional tons used in the superstructure and decking. Steel spandrel columns resting on the arches support the steel deck beams, stringers, and concrete of the road.
The deck is 202 feet above the water, and with the approaches, the length is 1450 feet long. There are two 22 foot wide roadways separated by a 4 foot concrete median with a 10 foot wide sidewalk on the south facing the falls.
Source: Bridges Over Niagara Falls website
Length of bridge: 950 feet
Height of bridge: 202 feet
What type of traffic does this bridge support?: Motor vehicles and pedestrians
What kind of gap does this bridge cross?:
The bridge spans the Niagara Gorge which contains the Niagara River. The river connects Lake Erie to Lake Ontario.
Date constructed: It opened November 1, 1941
Is the bridge still in service for its original purpose?: Yes
Name of road or trail the bridge services: NY Reference Route 955A and/or Ontario Highway 420
Location:
Niagara Falls, NY and Niagara Falls, Ontario
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