The 5 Highest Bridges in Washington Will Make Your Head Spin

5. Fairfax Bridge (250 feet)

The Fairfax Bridge is located in Pierce County and spans across the Carbon River on State Route 165. The bridge’s deck is 250 feet (76.7 meters) above the river, making Fairfax Bridge the fifth-highest bridge in Washington.

Fairfax Bridge is a single-lane, steel-lattice three-hinged arch bridge that was built in 1921. The bridge linked the remote town of Fairfax to the outside world, making it a vital transportation route for the town’s residents. Fairfax Bridge is on the National Register of Historic Places. It spans 494 feet long, crossing above the Carbon River in Melmont, WA.

4. Fred G. Redmon Bridge (325 feet)

The Fred G. Redmon Bridge opened in 1971. Its name honors Yakima resident Fred G. Redmon, who was also a member of the Washington State Senate and the first chairman of the Washington State Highway Commission.

Interstate 82 is located on this twin-arch bridge, which travels across Selah Creek between Yakima and Ellensburg. The Fred G. Redmon Bridge is 325 feet high (99.1 meters) and was the longest concrete arch bridge in North America when in 1971. In total, the bridge measures 1,337 feet long (408 meters). The longest span of the bridge stretches 549 feet (167 meters).

3. Vance Creek Bridge (347 feet)

Located in the Satsop Hills near Shelton, Vance Creek Bridge stands 247 feet (105.8 meters) above the ground, making it the second-highest railroad arch in the United States. Built for the Simpson Logging Company in 1929, the bridge was decommissioned in the 1970s. The public can no longer access the bridge due to the dangers it poses to photographers and thrill-seekers.

Vance Creek Bridge stretches 827 across, with its longest span measuring 422 feet long. The Green Diamond Resource Company now owns the bridge. The company has no plans for demolishing or restoring the bridge. However, there has been talk of possibly rehabilitating it for a local bungee-jumping company.

2. Hoffstadt Creek Bridge (370 feet)

The second highest bridge in Washington is the Hoffstadt Creek Bridge, which stands 370 feet (106.7 meters) high. It is also the longest deck truss bridge in the state, with its main span reaching 600 feet (182.9 meters) across. Located near Toutle along the Spirit Lake Memorial Highway, the bridge opened in 1991. It replaced an old road destroyed by the Mount St. Helens volcanic eruption. The Hoffstadt Creek Bridge stands high above the north fork of the Toutle River. This makes it safe from floods and debris.

1. High Steel Bridge (375 feet)

Spanning across the south fork of the Skokomish River near Shelton, the High Steel Bridge is the highest in Washington State, with a deck that stands an astounding 375 feet (114.3 meters) above the river! This engineering marvel was constructed back in 1929 by the Simpson Logging Company. At the time, most logging bridges were built of wood and were only temporary. However, the Simpson Logging Company felt that a permanent steel bridge would be a worthy investment. The bridge served as an important transportation route for timber for many years.

Today, the High Steel Bridge still stands as the tallest railroad bridge ever built in the United States! It is no longer a railway but is now a 685-foot roadway for cars. Located in the heart of Washington’s Olympic National Forest, the High Steel Bridge is a popular destination. Many photographers and hikers visit due to the breathtaking views of the verdant forests and Skokomish River below.