In just a few weeks, the last vehicles will drive over the Van Buren Bridge, a Corvallis landmark that’s been standing for more than a century.
In mid-November, drivers heading east from Corvallis toward I-5 will have to take a temporary one-lane bridge while the permanent replacement is being constructed.
Unlike the old bridge, the temporary detour won’t have weight restrictions, meaning busses, firetrucks and other heavy vehicles can cross it safely. It’ll also have a lane for bicyclists and pedestrians.
ODOT Spokesperson Mindy Mccartt said the agency is working with historical organizations in the area to honor the old bridge’s legacy.
“The construction of that bridge actually began in 1912 and it opened and was built in 1913,” Mccartt said. “That’s a lot of history that’s been over the top of that Van Buren Bridge.”
The new, permanent replacement for the Van Buren Bridge is expected to open in mid 2025. You can find more information about the new bridge on ODOT’s website.
