New Butte City Bridge Is Opened Monday

Traffic today crossed the Sacramento River at Butte City under its own power and at its own choice of speeds for the first time in eight years.

The ferry which had plied back and forth across the stream an average of 300 times a day since the flood damaged old bridge was condemned in 1940, carrying lighter vehicles, was moored for the last time on the river's east bank.

More than 400 people of the Butte City area, state highway officials, mayors of nearby cities and chamber of commerce delegations, watched yesterday afternoon as Mayor Robert Boyd of Willows scissored a ribbon in ceremonies which officially opened the new swinging bridge to traffic.

Across the bridge rolled first two state highway patrol cars, followed by the Willows High School band in new uniforms and a bridge-wide parade of pedestrians. After them came a mile-long string of automobiles bearing occupants who sought the experience of being among the first to cross the new $100,000 steel and concrete structure.

High enough above the river to permit passage of any small craft now on the river, the bridge is designed and constructed to pivot in the center to yield way for larger boats when such river traffic demands.

A long list of prominent persons spoke briefly in ceremonies. … Many of the speakers dwelt upon the convenience and economic savings to the area represented in the new crossing. For eight years, growers of rice, barley and wheat in the area east of the river have had to haul their products many extra miles in order to reach their markets and warehouses on the west side. …

Replacement of the old bridge was long delayed by the war-time shortage of steel. First moves toward actual construction of the new bridge began three years ago. … — Enterprise-Record, Jan. 18, 1949