How long is the Briceburg Bridge in California?
The Briceburg Bridge (also known as the Briceburg Suspension Bridge) is a historic single-lane suspension bridge spanning 62.1 meters (203.8 ft) across the Merced River in Mariposa County, California, USA. Carrying the paved Bull Creek Road (Briceburg Road) off Highway 140, it serves as an entry point to the Merced River Canyon and Bureau of Land Management recreation areas. It's one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.
| Road facts: Briceburg Bridge | |
|---|---|
| Location | Mariposa County (Merced River Canyon), California (USA) |
| Route Designation | Bull Creek Road (Briceburg Road) |
| Length | 62.1 m (203.8 ft) total length / 48.7 m (160 ft) main suspension span |
| Structure Type | Riveted steel wire suspension bridge with wood plank deck and steel floor beams |
| Build Date / Builder | Built 1937 by U.S. Forest Service & Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) |
| Vehicle Restrictions | RVs and trailers over 18 feet (5.5 m) prohibited |
| Surface | Single-lane wooden plank deck |
Where is the Briceburg Bridge located?
The bridge crosses the Merced River directly at Briceburg, positioned right off State Route 140 between Mariposa and Yosemite National Park. It connects Highway 140 with the unpaved dirt roads running deeper into the Sierra National Forest and the Merced River Recreation Area.
How was the Briceburg Suspension Bridge constructed?
Erected in 1937 by the U.S. Forest Service with labor from 30 Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) enrollees, the bridge was engineered with a 160-foot main suspension span supported by 25-foot steel towers and four 1.25-inch wire cables. Instead of traditional heavy trusses, the design utilized riveted steel beams for floor support, making it an unusual small-scale highway suspension bridge with unloaded backstay cables.
Can you drive an RV across the Briceburg Bridge?
No. Due to the tight approach angle turning off Highway 140, narrow single-lane width, and suspension weight limits, trailers and RVs over 18 feet (5.5 meters) in length are strictly prohibited from crossing the bridge.
What are the driving conditions on the Briceburg Bridge?
The bridge deck consists of wooden planks set over steel frame beams, which rattle and flex under vehicle weight. The narrow entrance requires drivers to align precisely with the timber track. Surrounding riverside pullouts feature thick brush with poison oak and rattlesnake hazards near the bridge footings.
Pic: Yosemitebear62