20th Avenue NE Bridge

20th Avenue NE Bridge
Coordinates47°40′19″N 122°18′21″W / 47.6719°N 122.3058°W / 47.6719; -122.3058
Other name(s)Ravenna Park Bridge
Characteristics
DesignDeck Arch
MaterialSteel
Total length354 feet (108 m)
Width18 feet (5.5 m)
Clearance below41 feet (12 m)
History
DesignerFrank M. Johnson
Engineering design byArthur Dimock
Opened1913
Closed1975 (to vehicles only)
Ravenna Park Bridge
LocationSeattle, Washington
Built1913
ArchitectFrank M. Johnson and J.R. Wood & Co
MPSHistoric Bridges/Tunnels in Washington State TR
NRHP reference No.82004246
Significant dates
Added to NRHPJuly 16, 1982
Designated SEATLJanuary 17, 1977
Location

The 20th Avenue NE Bridge (also known as the Ravenna Park Bridge) is a three-hinged, steel, lattice-arched bridge that spans a ravine in Seattle, Washington, United States' Ravenna Park. It was designed by Frank M. Johnson under the direction of city engineer Arthur Dimock. Built in 1913, the structure is both listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is a designated city landmark.

The structure is 354 ft (108 m) long. It has a 250 ft (76 m) arch that rises 41 ft (12 m) over the ravine. It supports an 18 ft (5.5 m) reinforced concrete roadway. Beginning on March 11, 1975, a four-month trial began wherein the bridge was closed to vehicular traffic. The bridge did not meet the standards for arterial roads at the time, and upgrading the bridge would have been cost prohibitive. The trial period was successful and the bridge has been closed to vehicle travel ever since, but it is accessible by pedestrians and cyclists.