The plaque attached to the southeast support identifies this as the Southern Pacific RR Underpass,Built under Cooperative Agreement by the US Bureau Of Public Roads, Oregon State Highway Commission. Kern & Kibbe, Contractors. The date is 1936. Not stated are the historical facts of the Depression during that time, the WPA sponsoring jobs in public construction and the architectural talents of Conde McCullock of Salem. This beautiful structure, enhanced with wrought iron filigree and concrete towers, is reminiscent of his bridges along the Columbia River. See photograph of site in 1936 before construction.
(Highland)