The first concrete was poured in the footings for the arch on July 11, 1925 Hand drills were first used, then a compressor and jackhammer. Gildersleeve of Fresno on June 9, 1925.Įxcavation for the footings began on J(didn't wait for the contract to be signed) Ten bids were received from $26,350 to $38,650. (this included $8500 unplanned cost for the extra span and widening the approaches) The cost of building the bridge in 1925-26: Hard to believe but it was only $37,500 Details continue below the next five photos. He died the year this bridge was completed. His design included the descending curve, which was a first in bridges, and the view bench. He came from New York State's Bridge Department. The bridge was designed by the California Department of Engineering's Bridge Department group in Sacramento, led by Harlan D. The state's plans for the new highway were completed in 1922.all those plans are labeled 'Highway 37.' No one knew of any 'Highway 40' until a year after the bridge was completed, when the name of this new highway was changed to Highway 40, as part of the new interstate highway numbering system. It replaced the old Highway 37, which was also the Dutch Flat Donner Lake Wagon Road, built in 1864 by the railroad builders and taken over by the state in 1909. This bridge was the final segment of the new and re-aligned State Highway 37.

Here are some interesting facts about the construction of the famous 'rainbow' bridge, thanks to rare original state documents provided to me by Jack Duncan, author of 'To Donner Pass From the Pacific.'

Martel construction shipping container