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Wyoming Rancher Buys Giant 100-Year-Old Bridge, Hauls It 40 Miles To Ranch

A 100-year-old Washakie County bridge was bought by a Wyoming rancher, who hauled it through downtown Worland on its 40-mile journey to his property near Ten Sleep.

Wendy Corr
June 04, 2023
4 min read



A rancher near Ten Sleep paid $1,100 for the 100-year-old Winchester Bridge in Washakie County. It was moved this week 40 miles to the rancher's property. (Wyoming Department of Transportation)

There are wide loads — then there are W-I-D-E loads. ... Washakie County drivers had to make way for a 25-foot-wide bridge this week that was on its way from Cottonwood Creek south of Worland to the Galloway Ranch north of Ten Sleep.

The historic Winchester Bridge, which is nearly 100 years old, was recently sold to the ranch by Washakie County, and the 90-by-25-foot structure was hauled 40 miles to its new home north of Ten Sleep on Tuesday. ... “They'll use it for moving livestock and moving vehicles back and forth,” said Cody Beers with the Wyoming Department of Transportation.

The bridge was deemed unsafe for public travel in a recent WYDOT inspection, but rather than haul it off to the scrapyard, county commissioners chose to sell it to the highest bidder.

“From the county perspective, we either had to look at taking it to the foundry or look at finding a way to dispose of it,” Washakie County Commissioner Aaron Anderson told Cowboy State Daily.

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