Jibboom Street Bridge
Elevation of swing span from the river in 2004
Coordinates38°35′59″N 121°30′22″W / 38.599709°N 121.506203°W / 38.599709; -121.506203
CarriesJibboom Street
CrossesAmerican River
LocaleSacramento, California
Official nameJibboom Street Bridge
Other name(s)American River Swing Bridge
Characteristics
DesignMetal subdivided warren truss swing bridge with Parker truss approach spans
MaterialMetal (steel)
History
Opened1931 (1931)
ClosedAugust 17, 2018—April 2, 2019
Statistics
TollNone
Location

The Jibboom Street Bridge is a historic metal truss swing bridge located on Jibboom Street in Sacramento, California, crossing the American River in Sacramento County. The main swing span is flanked by two Parker through truss spans.[1]

The bridge opened on Easter Sunday, April 5, 1931.[2] Originally named the "American River Bridge," it allowed motorists to bypass the old Natomas Trestle, providing a more direct link to Sacramento from the Sacramento River Highway.[3] The bridge's main central swing span was originally built as part of the Webster Street Bridge, connecting Oakland and Alameda. That bridge had been recently reconstructed following a January 1926 ship collision with its central swing span.[4] Following the October 1928 opening of the Posey Tube, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors sold the Webster Street bridge at auction to Sacramento County.[5] In late December, 1928, workers disassembled the central swing span and floated it to Antioch by barge where it remained until March of 1930 when it was barged up the Delta to Sacramento.[6]

On August 18, 2018, Caltrans announced the indefinite closure of the Jibboom Street Bridge to both vehicles and pedestrians due to a maintenance report that revealed several critical structural elements in poor condition. The swing span was rotated into the open position on August 19 and subsequently locked open, therefore allowing marine traffic to pass through while the bridge was closed and no bridge tender was on duty. The bridge was reopened to a single lane of traffic with the swing span locked closed (not available for marine traffic) in October 2018, but was closed again in November following the discovery of more deficiencies.

The bridge remained closed throughout the winter of 2018-19 for a comprehensive rehabilitation project that addressed the deficiencies as well as engaged in preventive maintenance. The bridge fully reopened to traffic on April 2, 2019, and reopened to marine traffic usage the following day with a swing span opening and a police & fire boat passing through.

References

  1. ↑ Stephen D. Mikesell, Historic Highway Bridges of California, Sacramento: California Department of Transportation, 1990.
  2. ↑ "American River Bridge Provides Capital with New Entrance To City". Modesto News-Herald. April 11, 1931.
  3. ↑ "Work Begins on New River Bridge". The Sacramento Bee. March 1, 1930. p. 2.
  4. ↑ "Webster Street Bridge to Go Inland". Oakland Tribune. November 30, 1928.
  5. ↑ "Contract Let to Transplant Webster Bridge". Oakland Tribune. August 29, 1929. p. 44.
  6. ↑ "Webster Street Bridge Removal Gets Under Way". Oakland Tribune. December 11, 1928. p. 1.


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