This is the twenty-fifth in a series of entries celebrating infrastructure achievements in the United States.
What: The I. B. Perrine Bridge at Twin Falls, ID is a truss arch four-lane bridge carrying U.S. Highway 93 over the Snake River Canyon.
When: The bridge was opened to traffic in September 1927, and at the time, was the highest bridge in the world. It has since been repaired & reopened in July 1976.
Why: The bridge serves as the Twin Falls area’s main link to Jerome County and Interstate 84.
Length: 1,500 feet (457 m)
Width: 64.6 feet (19.7 m)
Clearance Below: 486 feet (148 m)
Interesting facts: Evel Knievil used a dirt ramp just east of the bridge for his 1974 attempt to jump the Snake River Canyon on his rocket-powered cycle. A malfunction caused Knevil to fall to the rocks, but his only injuries consisted of facial cuts and minor bruises.
All work on the bridge was done from the canyon rim because there were no roads in the bottom of the canyon under the bridge.
In 2005, Miles Daisher jumped from the Perrine Bridge 57 times in less than 24 hours, hiking out of the Snake River Canyon each time. This is approximately the equivalent of hiking Mt. Everest. Check out the videos below to see others B.A.S.E. jumping from the bridge, and Evel Knievel’s fated attempt to cross Snake River Canyon (without Perrine Bridge).
–denisrichard on YouTube
–wlio01 on YouTube
Tags: BASE jumping, Evel Knievel, Great American Infrastructure, ID, Perrine Bridge, Snake River Canyon, Twin Falls
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