Sam Hill Memorial Bridge

The Sam Hill Memorial Bridge is a steel truss structure that crosses the Columbia River between Oregon and Washington, featuring a distinctive polygonal Warren design that carries traffic across the waterway. The bridge's main span rises prominently above the river, forming a recognizable landmark in this part of the Columbia River Gorge region.

Construction started in 1960 to replace a ferry service that had operated since the 1920s for crossing the river. This transition from ferry to bridge marked a shift in how people and vehicles moved between the two states.

The bridge honors Sam Hill, who contributed to regional infrastructure development and established the nearby Maryhill Museum of Art along the Columbia River.

The crossing is free to use today, and traffic moves steadily across a modernized deck surface. The structure accommodates standard vehicles and provides a straightforward route for people traveling between the two states.

The bridge originally operated as a toll crossing in its early years but became free to use in the mid-1970s, a change that many travelers today may not realize. This shift reflects how transportation funding priorities changed over time in the region.

Location: Washington

Location: Oregon

Inception: 1962

Official opening: November 1, 1962

GPS coordinates: 45.67600,-120.83600

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:02