Umpqua River Bridge

The Umpqua River Bridge is a swing bridge spanning across the Umpqua River in Reedsport. The structure features a rotating middle section and heavy concrete arches that support the entire span across the waterway.

Construction took place between 1934 and 1936 as a Public Works Administration project during the economic depression. It changed how people and goods moved through coastal Oregon by improving road connections.

Engineer Conde B. McCullough incorporated architectural elements into the bridge design, demonstrating the integration of function and structural engineering in public infrastructure.

The bridge carries U.S. Route 101 and allows vehicles to cross while boats can pass beneath when the swing section rotates. Visitors walking or driving through should be aware that the rotating mechanism occasionally stops traffic to allow river navigation.

This is the last remaining swing-span bridge still operating in Oregon's state highway system, actively rotating to allow ships to pass through. The engineer Conde B. McCullough designed it with careful attention to both structural strength and visual balance.

Location: Reedsport

Inception: 1936

Architects: Conde Balcom McCullough

Official opening: 1936

GPS coordinates: 43.70988,-124.10073

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:02