Navajo Bridge

–The Navajo Bridge has been a place in the National Register of Historic Places since August 13, 1981. The original steel spandrel arch bridge was built in 1928 and spans the Colorado River in Arizona. The challenge the state of Arizona had was to build a stronger bridge that would allow heavier vehicles to cross over the Colorado Bridge and yet maintain the same style and not create a clash with the environment. Both bridges are tied at ninth place among the highest bridges in the USA. They have similar dimensions with heights of 467 feet (142.3 m) for the older bridge and 470 feet (143.3 m) for the newer span. The original bridge has a height of 467 feet (142 m) from the canyon floor. By 1990, traffic in the area had increased a lot, and a new bridge was needed. The newer bridge was completed in 1995. The highway where this bridge is located is US 89A, an important route to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon NP. The photo below shows the view of the Colorado River from about half way down the pedestrian bridge. Because of dynamic range of light in the area, the photo below is three bracketed images combined into one. Lee’s Ferry, the mile marker zero for rafting trips into the Colorado River is just a few miles from here.