The Van Buren Bridge Project is on track to be completed by early summer 2026, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation.
“Most of the major milestones have already been accomplished,” Mindy McCartt, ODOT’s public information officer, said in an email. “The project is entering its final phases, and we’re getting close to completion.”
Over this past summer crews made major construction progress, according to McCartt, but still have work ahead for the fall.
“This summer, crews placed the steel girders, completed the driving surface (deck), installed the new bridge rail, and opened one lane of the new bridge to traffic,” McCartt said. “Looking ahead work will focus on rebuilding the north half of Van Buren Avenue, opening the second lane on the bridge, and completing the paths under the bridge on both the east and west sides.”
According to McCartt, the community can expect a few upcoming changes to traffic flow as construction progresses and the detour bridges are taken down this fall.
“The most significant change will come once the north half of Van Buren has been rebuilt and we’re able to open the second lane on the bridge. We expect this to happen in late fall or early winter,” McCartt said.
Construction of the bridge which crosses the Willamette River on eastbound OR 34 began in May 2023 with the goal of “ensuring a safe and earthquake-ready bridge” according to ODOT’s project page.
The original Van Buren Bridge, built in 1913, was considered vulnerable to seismic activity. It was also considered a bottleneck to car traffic and freights due to low clearance, weight restrictions and narrow width, according to ODOT.
The new earthquake-ready bridge aims to address these limitations and will include two eastbound travel lanes, a bike lane, and a protected bicycle and pedestrian path, according to ODOT. There will also be a new signal to replace the current flashing yellow pedestrian crossing light at the intersection of Van Buren Avenue and Northwest First Street to improve traffic flow.
“Safety remains our top priority — both for the traveling public and for the crews working on site,” McCartt said. “We appreciate the community’s patience as work continues.”