The Oregon Department of Transportation has announced that the overnight closure of the Astoria-Megler Bridge, originally planned for this week, will now take place on Thursday, February 26. The change in schedule is due to weather conditions.
According to officials, the closure is necessary so crews can remove the former toll booth structure located on the Oregon-side on-ramp. Inspectors recently found damage to the wood roof of the structure and identified a potential safety risk if it were to collapse during severe weather. “During a recent inspection, bridge engineers found damage to the wood roof, which could be at risk of collapsing during inclement weather,and recommended removing it as soon as possible to reduce risk to travelers,” said an official statement.
The department clarified that there are no concerns about the safety of the bridge itself; only the deteriorating toll structure is affected.
The full closure will last from 9 p.m. on Thursday, February 26 until 6 a.m. Friday morning. There will be no practical detour available during these hours. Flaggers will be stationed at both ends of the bridge and emergency vehicles will be allowed through if needed. Travelers are advised to plan ahead and avoid crossing during these times.
Construction noise is expected while work is underway.
The Astoria-Megler Bridge opened in 1966 and initially charged a $1.50 toll per vehicle. Tolling ended in 1993 after construction costs were paid off, but while toll booths were removed then, the overhead structure remained in place.
For ongoing updates about traffic conditions and closures, travelers are encouraged to check TripCheck.com (https://www.tripcheck.com/).
