Paul E. Mudgett Memorial bridge CALTRANS

The Paul E. Mudgett Memorial bridge on US 101 prior to reopening to traffic following nearly $3 million of repairs necessitated by a collision with an unknown object which damaged the overhead truss. This bridge - located north of Rio Dell, California is sometimes called "Scotia Bridge" and/or the "Robinson Ferry Bridge" in older publications. It was built in 1941; its total length is 1,643.1 feet. The longest span is 304.1 feet and the deck width is 25.9 feet. Vertical clearance is 15.5 feet; obviously whatever hit it was taller than that. The bridge was "dedicated to Paul E. Mudgett, a member of the Humboldt County Board of Trade for 35 years who died in an automobile accident on Route 101 on August 16, 1962." according to 2014 Named Freeways, Highways, Structures and Other Appurtenances in California