Van Buren Street Bridge, Steel truss bridge in Corvallis, United States.
The Van Buren Street Bridge is a steel truss swing bridge crossing the Willamette River in Corvallis, Oregon, carrying Oregon Route 34. The roadway is narrow, and the open steel framework rises visibly above the deck on both sides.
Construction by the Coast Bridge Company, to a design by Andrew J. Porter, cost $70,000 and was finished in February 1913; the bridge was dedicated on March 11, 1913, with the mayors of Corvallis and Philomath and the judges of Benton and Linn counties attending. Funding came from Benton County (the largest share), the city, Linn County and private donations. The state took ownership in 1938, and ODOT removed the span on January 26, 2024, as part of a replacement project scheduled for completion in 2026.
The Van Buren Street Bridge is a familiar crossing for people moving between the two sides of Corvallis every day. Locals know it mostly as a working bridge, part of the ordinary flow of the city rather than a destination in itself.
The roadway is narrow, so drivers of large vehicles should take extra care when crossing. Pedestrians and cyclists can also use the bridge, but should stay aware of passing traffic at all times.
The 249-foot (76 m) swing span turned on 42 steel rollers, driven by a 24-foot (7.3 m) gear with 300 teeth. Six people rotated a turn key using a 17-foot (5.2 m) wooden rod resembling a corkscrew. The span last opened in October 1960, and the swivel became inoperable in the 1980s.
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