Drive-by Astoria #10: Two Bridges

Astoria, Oregon ~ September 15, 2012

Highway 101

For any non-locals who wonder what the relationship is between Astoria's two largest bridges, this photo shows it pretty well. Coming from Warrenton, we're approaching the part of Young's Bay Bridge that lifts on the rare occasion that a taller boat needs to go underneath. After you hit the traffic circle at the end of the bridge, a couple of blocks takes you to a traffic light. Go straight and you're headed for downtown Astoria. Turn left onto the bridge and you're on your way to Washington. (See map.)

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A Closer View of Young's Bay Bridge

Yesterday I was the passenger, so I managed to get a shot that wasn't totally blurred or with the top of the bridge out of the frame. Although there are places to pull over, the bridge is narrow and I'm not sure whether stopping in a non-emergency is a ticketable offense. I expect it may be, as I never see anyone stopped unless they're broken down.

This drawbridge crosses Young's Bay from Warrenton to Astoria, the direction we're traveling in the photo, and vice-versa. In the the background you can see the much more famous and often-photographed Astoria-Megler Bridge. On the hill to the right is a residential part of Astoria overlooking Young's Bay. To the left is the Columbia River. Every once in awhile I've seen the drawbridge raised for fishing boats that are too tall for the bridge, but I've only had to stop once or twice.

I've shown the bridge from a distance in several earlier photos:

. From the Warrenton side
. From the Astoria side
. From the top of the Astoria Column (top photo)

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.