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MYRTLE CREEK
South Umpqua River
1916 - 1922
November 19, 1914: “The County Court at its session last week ordered the construction of the long-contemplated wooden wagon bridge over the Umpqua river near the mouth of Myrtle Creek, and is now advertising for bids for its construction. Work will probably begin as soon as the contract is awarded which cannot be until after December 7.---Myrtle Creek Mail.” (Riddle Tribune)
December 7, 1914: "The bridge is to be a wooden structure and located at Myrtle Creek, a short distance below the mouth of the stream of that name, and will accommodate about 35 families living on the west side of the river, who are now obliged to ferry. A tax for the purpose of constructing the bridge was voted by the people to be benefited some time ago.
Three bidders placed estimates on the bridge work, the lowest of which was by the Portland Bridge Co. The bids contained two estimates, one for concrete piers and the other for tubular iron piers filled with concrete, and are as follows: Portland Bridge Co., concrete piers, $6073; tubular, $6480; Portland Bridge Co., concrete piers, $5998; tubular, $6350; George H. Griffin, concrete piers, $6490; the Coast Bridge Co. also presented a bid, but it was not considered on account of being unaccompanied by the requisite check.
The bridge contract was awarded to the Portland Bridge Co., represented by R.E. Meith, who has built all the large bridges in this county during the past three years.
Work on the contract is to begin within ten days, and is to be completed by May 1, 1915. The bridge is to include four spans of 120 feet each and will have concrete piers. The total cost is $5998, of which sum the district has provided about $4000 by a special tax, and the remainder will be paid from the roads and bridge fund of the county." (Roseburg Review)
December 10, 1914: “A contract for the construction of a wooden bridge across the South Umpqua near the mouth of Myrtle Creek was awarded to Portland Bridge Company at a figure of approximately $6000. The piers are to be concrete.” (Riddle Tribune)
December 10, 1914: “A contract for the construction of a wooden bridge across the South Umpqua near the mouth of Myrtle Creek was awarded to Portland Bridge Company at a figure of approximately $6000. The piers are to be concrete.” (Riddle Tribune)
July 1, 1916: "New bridge across Umpqua opened to traffic." (The Daily Capital Journal)
February 3, 1921: "The improvement of an additional 60 miles of highway in different sections of the state was decided upon at the meeting of the state highway commission yesterday and it was announced that bids would be advertised for opening at the next meeting of the commission on March 1. The improvement program also provides for the elimination of grade crossing on different highways and construction of bridges. The aggregate cost of this and the highway work contemplated will amount to an estimated $2,000,000.
This includes the installation of an overcrossing at Myrtle Creek." (Morning Oregonian)
February 25, 1921: "New $37,864 bridge to be built across Umpqua river at Myrtle Creek." (St. Helens Mist)
March 19, 1921: "The commission, recognizing the fact that the people must ratify the proposed bond issue, stated its willingness to advance the county's share for construction of the Myrtle creek bridge, the amount being estimated at $31,693. The state will also advance money for purchase of the rights of way on Pacific highway, totaling $8000." (Morning Oregonian)
June 9, 1922: "William Roupe, a truck driver for the J. C. Compton Construction company which is paving the highway between Myrtle Creek and Canyonville, suffered a fractured skull, concussion of the brain, and a fractured ankle, late this afternoon, when the approach to the old highway bridge at Myrtle Creek collapsed under the weight of the truck which he was driving.
The new bridge which was built recently across the Umpqua river at Myrtle Creek has not yet been opened up as the road at the Myrtle Creek side is not yet completed. Traffic has been routed over the old bridge, which is quite old and not heavy enough to stand the highway travel.
The approach on the Myrtle Creek side of the bridge and a portion of the span gave way under the truck, allowing the fully loaded machine and its driver to drop about 30 feet to the rocks below.
Before workmen could reach the wreck, Mr. Roupe had crawled out and was endeavoring to crawl up the bank. He was delirious and remained dazed for a number of hours following the accident. He suffered injuries over his entire body. Dr. Langley, of Riddle, happened to be near the bridge when the accident occurred and rushed the injured man to Roseburg, where he was placed in Mercy Hospital. His condition is very serious." (Morning Oregonian)
June 9, 1922: "The new highway bridge at Myrtle Creek was ordered opened today by State Highway Engineer Herbert Nunn. The fill constituting the approach to the bridge is still soft, but cars can get by, and the bridge will now be kept open. The damage to the old bridge, by yesterday\s accident in which William Roupe, a truck driver, was hurt when the east approach collapsed, is such that no attempt to repair it is expected. It is stated that warnings had been issued against driving heavy loads across the bridge as such an accident was feared, the bridge being too light to stand heavy traffic. Those who witnessed the accident say that it was a great wonder, that Mr. Roupe and the man who was with him at the time were not instantly killed. The truck in which they were riding is a total wreck." (The News-Review)
June 10, 1922: "The new concrete arch bridge over the South Umpqua river at Myrtle Creek was opened last night following the collapse of the old bridge, which parallels the new structure only a short distance down stream. The new bridge was not quite ready, but because of the emergency it was put in use. William Roupe, who was seriously injured when his truck went through the old bridge, was slightly improved today and it was believed he would recover." (Morning Oregonoan)