Updates
October 28, 2015: see comments below. A reader provides a quick summary:
During the construction of the Garrison Dam, two bridges were to be destroyed; the Verendrye Bridge 4 miles north, near Sanish and the Elbow Woods bridge 40 miles south of the current location. The Verendrye bridge was demolished, while the Elbow Woods bridge was moved to the original Four Bears bridge site and connected with deck truss approach spans on each side of the bridge. This took place in the 50's and the original bridge opened in 1955. The work was done by the Corps of Engineers and the original bridge was too narrow and therefor not safe. Both the old and new bridges are beautiful bridges, but the new one is much safer.
Original Post
I mentioned in an earlier post that yesterday, Friday, June 3, 2011, I took my dad on a road trip east of Williston to visit New Town, the Four Bears Bridge over the Missouri River, and a bit of the Sanish oil field.
My dad feels that the Four Bears Bridge is one of the most beautiful bridges he has ever seen, and I have to agree. It is truly magnificent. It is very, very elegant in its simplicity. It seems to fit right into the landscape, absolutely unobtrusive. It is almost a mile long.
In that posting I mentioned that perhaps I would have a stand-alone posting for the bridge, and so, here it is.
For now, just some photos. Later I will add the history, but someone has written asking to see the photos of the bridge.
