The gorgeous Yaquina Bay Bridge is easily one of the most recognizable structures along the Oregon coast. People stop to take photos and drone videos of the bridge when they visit Newport, and delight in the bridge's architectural details. The Oregon Department Of Transportation has been careful to maintain this bridge over the years while retaining the bridge's historic integrity.

Yaquina Bay Bridge History

Yaquina Bay Bridge. Photo by Andrew Warren via Flickr CC2.

The Yaquina Bay Bridge spans Yaquina Bay in one of our favorite Oregon coast towns: Newport Oregon. This bridge is one of eleven along the Oregon Coast designed by Conde B. McCullough, Oregon's "Master Bridge Builder".

Yaquina Bay Bridge. Photo by Koocheekoo via Flickr CC2.

Construction on the bridge started in 1934 at the height of the Great Depression and received funding from the Public Works Administration (PWA). The PWA was part of President Roosevelt's New Deal, and built public works like schools, dams, bridges, and hospitals. The goal of the PWA was to put people to work, revive the economy and stabilize buying power.

Yaquina Bay Bridge at sunset. Photo by Diana Robinson via Flickr CC2.

At a final cost of $1,301,016, the semi-through arch bridge opened in September of 1936, and the construction of the bridge employed 220 people.

Drawing via historicbridges.org.

In total the bridge contains 3,100 tons of steel and 30,000 cubic yards of concrete and is 3,260 feet long.

One of the things that makes this bridge so gorgeous are the design elements that include gothic architecture along with Art Moderne and Art Deco elements.

At one point the design plans called for sculptures of seals to be included along the bridge, though the statues were never made.

Yaquina Bay Bridge Information

Yaquina Bay Bridge. Photo by Deckhand via Flickr CC2.

Check out this map of Newport to see where you can visit the Yaquina Bay Bridge:

If you're looking for other fun things to do while in Newport, check out our Guide To Newport Oregon here.

Yaquina Head Lighthouse at sunset. Photo by Meredith Matherly via the Bureau of Land Management Flickr CC2.

For good food and gorgeous views, we recommend visiting Clearwater Restaurant.

A lovely (and crabby!) view at Clearwater Restaurant in Newport, Oregon

If you'd like to stay somewhere with a view of the Yaquina Bay Bridge, check out this awesome riverboat Airbnb.

Image via / AirBnB / Newport Belle

Have you ever driven or walked across the Yaquina Bay Bridge? Share your photos with us and tag the friends and family you want to go to Newport Oregon with!