The northbound span is the original 1917 bridge, although it was altered from 1958-60 to include the humpback. Discussion of a second span started in 1948. The southbound span opened in 1958. The oldest of the I-5's twin spans is secured by Douglas fir logs "stuck in the mud" of the river. The 1948 Memorial Day flood almost topped the Interstate Bridge's support piers. Neither of the bridges support piers go to bedrock--just "stuck in the mud" of the Columbia River. Think about this the next time that you are driving over the bridges or when you are stuck on the bridge as it shakes beneath you.
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