Be Aware! Highway 99 West Closed at Marys River Bridge Near Corvallis

Depending on the scope of the damage, and the availability of specialty bridge repair contractors, the bridge could remain closed to traffic for several weeks.

Salem-News.com

(CORVALLIS) - A truck hauling a forklift on a trailer struck the overhead cross members of the Marys River Bridge on Highway 99W Wednesday morning, forcing the Oregon Department of Transportation to close the bridge until further notice.

The damage to the bridge, at mile point 84.5, occurred just before 10:30 AM when the northbound truck and trailer hit the first three cross beams, denting the first two and tearing completely through the third beam.

The resulting damage may have made the bridge structure unstable. ODOT bridge engineers are enroute to the bridge to inspect and assess the damage. It is likely the bridge will remain closed for the remainder of the day.

Depending on the scope of the damage, and the availability of specialty bridge repair contractors (if needed), the bridge could remain closed to traffic for several weeks.

There is also the possibility the bridge could be reopened at some point to light passenger vehicles. This scenario would likely prohibit heavy truck traffic over the bridge.

A detour routing traffic to the Highway 34 Bypass, and then to the Harrison Street Bridge over the Willamette River, is in place. For commercial vehicle routing information, contact the Oregon Department of Transportation’s Over Dimension Permit Unit, (503) 373-0000.

Further information will become available following the engineer’s report.