Longview, Washington: Nutty Narrows - Squirrel Bridges

The Nutty Narrows Bridge was moved once again in 2010, back to very near its original location on Olympia Way. The reinstallation and rededication of the landmark bridge was done amid much fanfare, including high school cheerleaders chanting squirrel chants, white doves, a blessing by an Episcopal priest and a speech by the mayor.

Now the Longview Sandbaggers are planning the Longview Squirrel Fest on August 6, 2011. It will include a Criterium Bicycle Race, street dance, unveiling of the World's First Covered Squirrel Bridge, parade, One Mile backwards Fun Run, Beer and Wine tasting, Cowlitz BlackBears College Summer League Baseball game, and Terry Taylor Neighborhood 180 home Garage Sale!

Longview's long-lived squirrel overpass is on the move again. The 60-foot-long span originally crossed Olympia Way, then it was moved to a spot on Civic Circle when it outlasted its anchoring trees. Now it's being moved back to span Olympia, about a bock northwest of its original spot, reportedly because too many drivers on the Circle have been watching the scurrying squirrels instead of the merging traffic.

On the large lawn expanse beside the town library, there is a large wooden squirrel. Definitely too large to cross the street on the Nutty Narrows Bridge nearby, but then, this squirrel could hit a Buick and only the latter would be hurt.

Next to the large lawn expanse beside the town library, there is a bridge over the top of the road specifically designed for squirrels. There are a lot of trees down either side of the road, and clearly a little too much roadkill for the residents of Longview. Named the Nutty Narrows Bridge, it has apparently been there since 1963. Struck me as kind of quaint. I even saw squirrels using it to move from one side of the road to the other.