Nutty Narrows Bridge

Nutty Narrows Bridge
Coordinates	46°08′29″N 122°56′26″W / 46.14139°N 122.94056°W / 46.14139; -122.94056
Carries	Squirrels
Crosses	Olympia Way
Locale	Longview, Washington
Owner	City of Longview
Characteristics
Design	Catenary bridge in imitation of a suspension bridge
Material	Canvas fire hose and aluminum
Total length	60 ft (18 m)
History
Designer	Amos Peters, Robert Newhall, and LeRoy Dahl
Constructed by	Amos Peters
Construction end	1963
Opened	March 19, 1963
Rebuilt	1983, 1989, 1999, 2005, 2010
Nutty Narrows Bridge
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Location	Longview, Washington, spanning Olympia Way between 18th Avenue and Maple Street
NRHP reference No.	14000500
Added to NRHP	August 18, 2014
Location

The Nutty Narrows Bridge is a squirrel bridge in Longview, Washington, United States. It spans Olympia Way near R. A. Long Park in downtown Longview, comprising a 60 feet (18 m) catenary bridge with a center section resembling a suspension bridge. The bridge was built by local contractor Amos Peters in 1963 and named by a city councilwoman, in a likely nod to the Tacoma Narrows Bridge.

The bridge was proposed after local tenants noticed that several squirrels had died while crossing the street in search of nuts. The proposal garnered national attention and was quickly approved by the city council. It was installed on March 19, 1963, and saw use by squirrels the following day. The bridge was removed for repairs and renovations several times in the late 20th century and remains a symbol of Longview.

The Nutty Narrows was moved from its original location in 2005 following the discovery of termite damage in the oak trees holding up its structure. Its new location, in the middle of a traffic circle, was determined to be a distraction to motorists and prompted a second move in 2010. The bridge inspired the construction of several other squirrel crossings in Longview and the original Nutty Narrows was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2014.