View source for Perrine Bridge

{{Short description|Bridge over the Snake River in Idaho, USA}}
{{For|the covered bridge in New York state|Perrine's Bridge}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Infobox Bridge
 | bridge_name   = Perrine Bridge
 | image         = U.S. Highway 93 bridge from within Snake River Canyon.jpeg
 | image_size    = 240px
 | caption       = Perrine Bridge in July 2004
 | official_name = [[I. B. Perrine]] Bridge
 | carries       = 4 lanes of {{jct|state=ID|US|93}}
 | crosses       = [[Snake River]]
 | locale        = [[Twin Falls, Idaho|Twin Falls]], [[Idaho]], [[United States|U.S.]]
 | maint         =
 | id            =
 | design        =
 | mainspan      = {{convert|993|ft|0}}<ref name=hb>{{cite web|url=https://www.highestbridges.com/wiki/index.php?title=Perrine_Bridge|title=Perrine Bridge|date=December 9, 2009|work=HighestBridges.com|publisher=Eric Sakowski|access-date=October 31, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513164326/https://www.highestbridges.com/wiki/index.php?title=Perrine_Bridge|archive-date=May 13, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
 | length        = {{convert|1500|ft|0}}
 | width         = {{convert|64.6|ft|1}} <!---55 cm ?--->
 | height        = <!---25 cm --->
 | load          =
 | clearance     =
 | below         = {{convert|486|ft|0}}<ref name=hb/>
 | traffic       =
 | open          = {{Start date and age|1976}}<br />''1927 - original''<br />({{Time ago|1927}})
 | closed        =
 | toll          =
 | map_cue       =
 | map_image     =
 | map_text      =
 | map_width     =
 | coordinates   = {{coord|42.600|-114.4537|type:landmark_region:US-ID|display=inline,title}}
}}
{{Location map | USA <!--West-->
| relief = 1
| caption = Location in the <!--[[Western United States|western]]-->[[United States]] 
| width = 220
| label = <small>Perrine Bridge</small>
| position = 
| mark = 
| marksize = 6
| lat_deg = 42.6
| lon_deg = -114.4537
}}
{{Location map | USA Idaho
| relief = 1
| caption = Location in Idaho 
| width = 140
| label = <small>Perrine Bridge</small>
| float = 
| position = 
| mark = 
| marksize = 6
| lat_deg = 42.6
| lon_deg = -114.4537
}}
The '''I. B. Perrine Bridge''' is a four-lane [[truss arch bridge|truss arch]] span over the [[Snake River]] in the [[Western United States|western]] [[United States]]. Located in southern [[Idaho]] just north of the city of [[Twin Falls, Idaho|Twin Falls]], it carries [[U.S. Route 93 in Idaho|U.S. Highway 93]] over the [[Snake River Canyon (Idaho)|Snake River Canyon]], connecting [[Twin Falls County, Idaho|Twin Falls County]] with [[Interstate 84 in Idaho|Interstate 84]] in [[Jerome County, Idaho|Jerome&nbsp;County]].

==Description==
The Perrine Bridge is approximately {{convert|1500|ft|0}} in total length, with a main span of {{convert|993|ft|0}}. Its deck height of {{convert|486|ft|0}} above the [[Snake River]] is the eighth [[List of bridges in the United States by height|highest]] in the United States; the [[elevation]] of the roadway is approximately {{convert|3600|ft|-1}} above [[sea level]].

The bridge is named for [[I. B. Perrine]] (1861–1943), who spearheaded the early 20th century [[irrigation]] projects in the [[Magic Valley]] region and is largely credited as the main founder of Twin Falls; a statue of Perrine is at the visitors' center at the south end of the bridge.

==History==
<!-- [[File:Twin_Falls-Jerome_Intercounty_Bridge.jpg|left|thumb|alt=Original cantilever bridge, from a 1950s postcard|Original cantilever bridge (1927), from a 1950s postcard]] -->
Originally named the ''Twin Falls-Jerome Intercounty Bridge'', a [[steel]] [[cantilever bridge]] was opened to traffic in September 1927,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/13048392/news_notes/ |title=News Notes |newspaper=The Millard County Progress |location=[[Fillmore, Utah]] |date=September 23, 1927 |access-date=August 12, 2017 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> and formally dedicated by governor [[H. C. Baldridge]] on October 1, 1927.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/13048142/bridge_dedicated/ |title=Bridge Dedicated |newspaper=Salt Lake Telegram |agency=[[Associated Press|AP]] |date=October 1, 1927 |access-date=August 12, 2017 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> The privately financed $750,000 structure<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/13048790/lofty_idaho_bridge_opened/ |title=Lofty Idaho Bridge Opened |newspaper=[[Standard-Examiner]] |location=[[Ogden, Utah]] |agency=[[Associated Press|AP]] |date=September 27, 1927 |access-date=August 12, 2017 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> (equivalent to ${{Inflation|US-GDP|.75|1927
|fmt=c|r=1}} million in {{Inflation-year|US-GDP}} dollars) was originally a [[toll bridge]]; the tolls were eliminated in April 1940 after the bridge was purchased by the state of Idaho for $482,000 (equivalent to ${{Inflation|US-GDP|.482|1940
|fmt=c|r=1}} million in {{Inflation-year|US-GDP}} dollars).<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/13047859/twin_falls_span_tolls_lifted_with/ |title=Twin Falls Span Tolls Lifted With Celebration |newspaper=[[Post Register]] |location=[[Idaho Falls, Idaho]] |agency=[[Associated Press|AP]] |date=April 30, 1940 |access-date=August 12, 2017 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref>

By the early 1970s, the original bridge was outdated and unable to handle heavy loads and required replacement. Construction of the current bridge began in May 1973,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://itd.idaho.gov/transporter/2011/012111_Trans/012111_PerrinePhotos.html |title=Treasure trove of Perrine Brridge construction slides discovered; slides donated to library, available on D-4 server |website=Idaho Transportation Department |date=January 21, 2011 |access-date=April 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016082916/https://itd.idaho.gov/transporter/2011/012111_Trans/012111_PerrinePhotos.html |archive-date=October 16, 2014}}</ref> and was completed in July 1976 at a cost of $10.56 million<ref name=nampaJul76>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/13050733/idaho_briefs/ |title=Idaho briefs |newspaper=[[The Idaho Press-Tribune|Idaho Free Press]] |location=[[Nampa, Idaho]] |agency=[[United Press International|UPI]] |date=August 2, 1976 |access-date=August 12, 2017 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> (equivalent to ${{Inflation|US-GDP|10.56|1976
|fmt=c|r=0}} million in {{Inflation-year|US-GDP}} dollars). The new bridge was dedicated on July 31, 1976;<ref name=nampaJul76/> the original cantilever bridge to the west was later disassembled.

==Tourism==
Located at the southwest end of the Perrine Bridge is the Twin Falls Visitor Center featuring souvenirs and gifts, Idaho products, visitor information, and interactive exhibits highlighting the recreational and historical activities and attractions in the region. The visitor center has views of the canyon, bridge, and access to the trail system along the canyon rim. Trails go under the bridge on either side which offers vantage points of the bridge and its structure.{{citation needed|date=October 2017}}

To the east, along the south rim of the canyon, lies the dirt ramp used by [[Evel Knievel]] when he unsuccessfully attempted his [[Evel Knievel#Snake River Canyon jump|Snake River Canyon jump]] on the [[Skycycle X-2]] in September 1974;<ref name=spjfls>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wB5OAAAAIBAJ&pg=3418%2C3797490 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |location=Spokane, Washington |agency=(New York Times) |title=Jump fails, but Knievel uninjured |date=September 9, 1974 |page=1}}</ref><ref name=miobkit>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.si.com/vault/1974/09/02/643157/make-it-or-break-it|magazine=Sports Illustrated |last=Jones |first=Robert F. |title=Make it or break it|date=September 2, 1974 |page=52 }}</ref> the jump failed because of a parachute malfunction.<ref name=mfblmd>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=5jlYAAAAIBAJ&pg=5214%2C3354445 |newspaper=The Bulletin |location=Bend, Oregon |agency=Associated Press |title=Metal fatigue blamed |date=September 9, 1974 |page=1 }}</ref> The ramp where he made the leap sits on private property about {{convert|1.6|mi|km}} east of the bridge and is visible from the bridge as well as various vantage points along the Canyon Trail.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.idahobeautiful.com/south-central/evel-knievel-jump-site-twin-falls-idaho.html|title=Evel Knievel Jump Site – Twin Falls, Idaho, ''Idaho Tourism''|access-date=October 9, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016103037/https://www.idahobeautiful.com/south-central/evel-knievel-jump-site-twin-falls-idaho.html|archive-date=October 16, 2014}}</ref> A memorial to Knievel is located near the bridge;<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2961 |title=Evel Knievel's Snake River Jump Monument |website=roadsideamerica.com |access-date=August 12, 2017}}</ref> it was dedicated in September 1985, at a small ceremony attended by Knievel.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/13051846/no_crowds_attracted_by_dedication_of/ |title=No crowds attracted by dedication of monument to Snake River jump |agency=[[Associated Press|AP]] |newspaper=[[Great Falls Tribune]] |location=[[Great Falls, Montana]] |date=September 10, 1985 |access-date=August 12, 2017 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref>

===BASE jumping===
The Perrine Bridge is a popular [[BASE jumping]] site known all over the world;<ref name=ibdjfatw>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=l9cyAAAAIBAJ&pg=2899%2C1108722 |newspaper=Moscow-Pullman Daily News |location=Idaho-Washington |agency=Associated Press |last=Miller |first=John |title=Idaho bridge draws jumpers from around the world |date=June 11, 2005 |page=6}}</ref> it may be the only man-made structure in the United States where BASE jumping is allowed year-round without a permit.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://basejumping.wordpress.com/2008/07/18/tips-for-jumping-the-perrine-bridge-base-jumping-apex-base/|title=Tips for Jumping the Perrine Bridge|work=BASE JUMPING ::: APEX BASE|date=July 18, 2008 |access-date=October 9, 2014}}[https://www.redbull.com/cs/Satellite/en_INT/Profile/Miles-Daisher-021242746278011 Miles Daisher, Red Bull Athlete Profile]</ref> Jumpers often use the nearby visitor center as a home base before and after parachuting from the bridge.

The first documented and video-recorded/photographed jumps from the bridge were in 1987, by three residents of Twin Falls (former U.S. Army paratroopers) who [[static line]] jumped the bridge using military surplus MC1-1B parachutes. It was done after a test drop of a 55-gallon (210 liter) drum in a [[T-10 parachute]] harness and canopy was used. Multiple successful jumps were conducted without incident or injury.

In the early 1990s, [[bungee jumping]] and parachuting off the bridge gained popularity, but was still against the law;<ref name=bjlhinj>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GJMrAAAAIBAJ&pg=3098%2C690564 |newspaper=Idahonian |location=Moscow |agency=Associated Press |title=Bungee jumper lands himself in jail |date=July 5, 1991 |page=3A}}</ref><ref name=tfiaovbj>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=psszAAAAIBAJ&pg=5851%2C4291769 |newspaper=Deseret News |location=Salt Lake City, Utah |agency=Associated Press |title=Twin Falls is jumping all over bungee jumpers |date=September 10, 1991 |page=B3 }}</ref> by the end of the decade, BASE jumping was legal.<ref name=inchjmprs>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Eeg0AAAAIBAJ&pg=6721%2C6291247 |newspaper=Lodi News-Sentinel |location=California |agency=Associated Press |title=Idaho not chasing jumpers |date=October 23, 1999 |page=6 }}</ref> In July 2006, Dan Schilling jumped off the bridge 201 times in 21 hours to raise money for charity;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://magicvalley.com/news/base-jumper-makes-it-final-at/article_232ca992-a5be-53ca-86ad-fe074e06a1e9.html|title=BASE Jumper Makes It Final At 201, ''Times News''|work=Twin Falls Times-News|date=July 7, 2006 |access-date=October 9, 2014}}</ref> Schilling was hoisted to the top of the bridge by a crane after every jump.

Eleven BASE jumpers have died while jumping from the Perrine Bridge as of 28 February 2025.<ref>{{cite web | title=Base Fatality List | website=BASEAddict | url=https://bfl.baseaddict.com/list | access-date=28 February 2025}}</ref>

{{clear}}

==Gallery==
{{Gallery
|title=Bridge photos
|width=160 | height=170
|align=center
|footer=
|File:Perrine Bridge, Twin Falls, ID.jpg
 |alt2=Perrine Bridge, aerial view
 |Perrine Bridge, aerial view
|File:Perrine bridge 20070602.jpg
 |alt3=Perrine Bridge from the southwest, June 2007
 |Perrine Bridge from the southwest, June 2007
|File:BASE jumping - Perrine Bridge.jpg
 |alt4=A BASE jumper leaps off the Perrine Bridge
 |A BASE jumper leaps off the Perrine Bridge
|File:Twin_Falls-Jerome_Intercounty_Bridge.jpg
 |alt5=Original cantilever bridge, from a 1950s postcard
 |Original cantilever bridge (1927), from a 1950s postcard
|File:Perrine bridge near Twin Falls Idaho - Snake River.jpg
 |alt6=Perrine Bridge from the visitors center, May 2022
 |View of Perrine bridge from the visitor's center, May 26, 2022
}}

==See also==
{{portal|Transport|Engineering}}
* [[List of bridges documented by the Historic American Engineering Record in Idaho]]
* [[List of bridges in the United States by height]]
* [[List of crossings of the Snake River]]

==References==
{{reflist|22em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [https://visitidaho.org/things-to-do/roadside-attractions/perrine-bridge/ VisitIdaho.org] – Perrine Bridge
* {{Structurae|id=20007877|title=I. B. Perrine Bridge}}
* [http://www.highestbridges.com/wiki/index.php?title=Perrine_Bridge Highest Bridges] – Perrine Bridge
* [http://bridgehunter.com/id/twin-falls/perrine/ Bridgehunter] – Perrine Bridge
* [http://lb.511.idaho.gov/idlb/cameras/camera.jsf?id=46 Idaho Transportation Dept.] - webcam - U.S. 93 - Perrine Bridge
* [https://visitsouthidaho.com/visitor-info/twin-falls-visitor-center/ Twin Falls Visitor Center]
* {{HAER |survey=ID-3 |id=id0012 |title=Twin Falls-Jerome Bridge, U.S. Highway 93 Spanning Snake River, Twin Falls, Twin Falls County, ID |photos=39 |data=10 |cap=2}} of previous bridge

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Bridges completed in 1974]]
[[Category:Open-spandrel deck arch bridges in the United States]]
[[Category:Road bridges in Idaho]]
[[Category:Twin Falls, Idaho]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Twin Falls County, Idaho]]
[[Category:Transportation in Twin Falls County, Idaho]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Twin Falls County, Idaho]]
[[Category:U.S. Route 93]]
[[Category:Bridges of the United States Numbered Highway System]]
[[Category:Bridges over the Snake River]]
[[Category:Former toll bridges in Idaho]]
[[Category:Historic American Engineering Record in Idaho]]
[[Category:Steel bridges in the United States]]
[[Category:Truss bridges in the United States]]