Hanapepe Swinging Bridge

The Hanapepe Swinging Bridge is a 186-foot-long steel reinforcement pedestrian span located at the Hanapepe River on the Hawaiian island of Kauai. This structure was originally constructed in 1911 to facilitate pedestrian worker traffic between downtown Hanapepe and Hanapepe Valley. The span was damaged by Hurricane Iniki in 1992 and underwent restoration which was completed in 1996.

This page is part of the Gribblenation Hawaii Roads series. A compellation of all Hawaii-related media from both Gribblenation and RoadwayWiz can be found by clicking here.

Part 1; the history of the Hanapepe Swinging Bridge

The Hanapepe Swinging Bridge was constructed over the Hanapepe River in 1911. This 186-foot-long bridge was built to facilitate workers being able to access Hanapepe Valley directly from downtown Hanapepe. This wire suspension swinging structure cuts off the 1911-era Hanapepe Road Bridge by about a half mile.

The Hanapepe Swinging Bridge fell out of favor for commuters as the Kaumualii Highway (now Hawaii Route 50) was modernized when a then new highway span was installed at the Hanapepe River in 1938. The swing span would remain a notable attraction in downtown Hanapepe due to the width of the structure drawing tourists to cross.

The Hanapepe Swinging Bridge appears north of Hanapepe Road on the 1963 United States Geological Survey map of Hanapepe.

The Hanapepe Swinging Bridge was severely damaged in 1992 by Hurricane Iniki. The original cables were replaced with modern steel, and the damaged planks were replaced. The restored swinging bridge would reopen to the public in 1996.

Part 2; a visit to the Hanapepe Swinging Bridge

These photos depict a crossing of the Hanapepe Swinging Bridge northward from Hanapepe Road.

The view facing eastward towards the Hanapepe Swinging Bridge.

A platform facing south over the Hanapepe Swinging Bridge displays the modern steel cables which are now part of the structure.

Comments

New River Gorge National Park & Preserve - Thurmond

New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is best known for whitewater rafting and other forms of adventure tourism. Yet, found in the hollows and isolated valleys are quiet farms and former coal mining towns. Well off the beaten path and isolated from much of its surroundings, Thurmond provides a unique view into Central West Virginia's industrial past. Thurmond began as a railroad town in the late 1800s. Sparked by the arrival of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad and the local coal industry, Thurmond quickly grew into a sizeable transportation and coal center. When it incorporated as a town in 1903, Thurmond was a full-fledged community - home to two banks, two hotels, and many other services and stores. A CSX freight train passes the old coaling tower in Thurmond. It was here that many steam locomotives would refill and refuel. Thurmond was home to a C&O railyard which serviced the numerous steam engines passing through the narrow valley. Thu...

The Tale of Tollhouse Road, western California State Route 168 and failed Piute Pass Highway

Western California State Route 168 is entirely located in Fresno County and is linked historically to the Tollhouse Road corridor. Tollhouse Road is one of the oldest highways in the Sierra Nevada range of Fresno County. The corridor presently begins in at Clovis Avenue in downtown Clovis and extends northeast to Huntington Lake. In 1866 the Woods Brothers established mining claims on Pine Ridge. In 1867 Fresno County would grant the brothers a toll franchise to construct a roadway to the desirable logging areas atop Pine Ridge and near Dinkey Creek. The Woods would establish a tollhouse at the start of their franchise road and lumber mill. The lumber mill attracted settlers which led to the establishment of the mountain town of Tollhouse. Fresno County would purchase the Tollhouse Road in 1878 and make it a public highway. The county would remove the tolls and incorporate the corridor into the existing county road network. Prior to the establishment of Clovis in 1...

California State Route 73

California State Route 73 is 21 mile limited access highway aligned over the Corona del Mar Freeway and San Joaquin Hills Toll Road. California State Route 73 connects Interstate 5 near San Juan Capistrano westward to Interstate 405 in Costa Mesa. Prior to the construction of the Corona del Mar Freeway and San Joaquin Hills Tollway California State Route 73 was a surface highway located on largely MacArthur Boulevard. Part 1; the history of California State Route 73 What became California State Route 73 ("CA 73") entered the State Highway System in 1933 as Legislative Route Number 184 ("LRN 184"). LRN 184 was given the following route definition: "LRN 60 near Corona Del Mar to Santa Ana via Main Street" LRN 184 was announced in the April 1933 California Highways & Public Works . LRN 184 appears for the first time on the 1934 Division of Highways Map . LRN 184 appears under State Maintenance from US Route 101/LRN 2 in Santa Ana south ...