John O'Connell Bridge

The John O'Connell Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge over the Sitka Channel located in Sitka, Alaska. The bridge connects the town of Sitka on Baranof Island to the airport and Coast Guard Station on Japonski Island. Until the bridge was completed in 1971 the commute was only achievable through a ferry service. The bridge is named after John W. O'Connell, a former mayor of Sitka. The two-lane bridge is 1,255 feet (383 m) in total length, with a main span of 450 feet (140 m). The bridge was also the United States' first vehicular cable-stayed girder spanned bridge. The four 100-foot (30 m)-high steel pylons carry two three-cable sets, each carrying a section of the bridge deck.