The Brotherhood Bridge is a road bridge in Juneau, Alaska.[1] The bridge carries the Glacier Highway over the Mendenhall River, acting as a demarcation point of sorts between the urban and rural portions of mainland Juneau.[2] The bridge was named in honor of the Alaska Native Brotherhood (ANB). It was designed by civil engineer Roy Peratrovich, Jr., the son of Roy and Elizabeth Peratrovich, who were leaders in the ANB and counterpart Alaska Native Sisterhood. Bronze plaques on the bridge refer to the Raven and Eagle clans of the Tlingit people.[3] Previous bridges across the Mendenhall River, at or near the same spot, were constructed in 1903, 1919 and 1931.[4] It was entered into the United States Geological Survey's Geographic Names Information System on March 31, 1981.[1]

Brotherhood Bridge
Aerial view of construction of the four-lane replacement bridge in May 2015, looking upriver from above the area along Industrial Boulevard, which abuts the bridge to the southwest.
Coordinates58°22′13″N 134°36′06″W / 58.3704°N 134.6017°W / 58.3704; -134.6017
CarriesGlacier Highway
CrossesMendenhall River
LocaleJuneau, Alaska, USA
Named forAlaska Native Brotherhood
OwnerAlaska DOT&PF
History
DesignerRoy Peratrovich, Jr.
Opened1965 (original)
2015 (current)
ReplacesPrevious bridges
Location
Map

The Brotherhood Bridge was slated for replacement, with widening and other improvements, in 2012. Demolition of the old bridge and construction of a new 99.5-foot-wide bridge happened concurrently in stages, beginning April 25, 2014, and completing October 31, 2015.[5][6][7]


The name Brotherhood Bridge was appropriated by a band consisting of Juneau-area musicians.[8]

References

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  1. ^ a b USGS GNIS Feature Detail Report
  2. ^ District 4 Precinct descriptions. Alaska Division of Elections. 2002. Accessed March 23, 2008.
  3. ^ "A Recollection of Civil Rights Leader Elizabeth Peratrovich." 2004. Accessed March 23, 2008.
  4. ^ Dedication of the Brotherhood Bridge (PDF). Alaska Department of Highways. 1965.
  5. ^ Alexander, Rosemarie (2012-09-25). "Brotherhood Bridge for sale". KTOO-TV. Retrieved 2014-03-23.
  6. ^ "The Brotherhood Bridge over the Mendenhall River" (PDF). Retrieved 2020-12-30.
  7. ^ "Brotherhood Bridge Replacement". Retrieved 2020-12-30.
  8. ^ Tibbett, Teri (2008-03-13). "Bob Cole hits the road with Moses Kane". Juneau Empire. Morris Communications. Archived from the original on 2011-08-11. Retrieved 2008-03-23.