Hundreds of people turned out for the George E. Tryon Bridge dedication on Big Flat Road in July of 1957. Mrs. Tryon received the dedication to her late husband and flowers from Bailey Steward, former Board Chairman.
The existing historic 206-foot long, two-lane, steel, spandrel deck arch bridge, built-in 1948, crosses the South Fork of the Smith River. The main arch span is 140-foot long.
Members of state, county, and local government, and members of Del Norte County’s pioneer families were present for the occasion. They honored Tyron for his efforts at constructing roads and bridges in the county.
Senator Randolph Collier spoke of the improvements and modernization of the road system and dedicated a plaque placed on the bridge bearing Tyron’s name. Assemblyman Frank Bellotti also spoke as did Supervisor Austin Hunter, City Councilman Bernard McClendon, and Harold Del Ponte, Vic Meedom, Fred Haight, and future U. S. Congressman Don Clausen.
In September 2013, a $34,700 contract to replace the old structure went to Flatiron West Inc. Estimated construction costs range from $7 to $11 million, with work slated to begin in 2015.
The Old Blog in the Desert 
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