Damaged by semi-truck, Hood River Bridge to remain closed until Sunday at least

A crash involving a semi-truck Thursday morning has shut down the Hood River Bridge, cutting off a vital overpass for the Columbia Gorge region.

The semi-truck was traveling south on the bridge, which connects Hood River and White Salmon, when the excavator it was hauling crashed into the lift span above the traffic lane.

The bridge will remain closed at least until Sunday morning. The Port of Hood River Commission will meet at 10 a.m. Sunday to hear recommendations by engineers as to whether the bridge is safe to open to the public; any decision would come during that meeting.

The crash caused “severe damage” to the structure of the bridge, according to the Port of Hood River. No injuries were reported. The bridge was immediately closed to allow engineers to assess the damage, and community members were advised to seek alternate routes.

Port of Hood River Commissioner Mike Fox said the bucket attached to the excavator was sticking up too high as the driver attempted to cross the bridge. The excavator ultimately damaged six beams and the gusset plates, which tie the beams together.

“The gusset plates on it where he hit were damaged extensively — they actually ripped and then bent,” Fox said. “More than likely, they’re going to have to be replaced and some of the beams will have to be replaced.”

The bridge is a vital route for residents in the Columbia Gorge, especially for those on the Washington side who rely on it to access medical services, work and shopping in Hood River. Hood River County Administrator Allisson Williams said about 30% of her workforce lives outside the county. She said she’s concerned a prolonged bridge closure could inhibit the county’s ability to provide services, since commutes could take much longer and many employees will have to work remotely.

OPB reached out to Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital about the potential impact on patients in Washington. The hospital has not yet provided any comment.

The Hood River Bridge is also the only bridge crossing the Columbia River for miles in each direction — the closest options are the Bridge of the Gods in Cascade Locks to the west and the Dalles Bridge to the east. Both bridges are more than 20 miles away in each direction.

White Salmon Mayor Marla Keethler said the focus is now on contingency planning. The closure of the bridge has a “direct and immediate impact” on the community and the city is considering shuttle or ferry options to get residents across, she said.

First constructed in 1924 — and completely rebuilt in 1938 — the Hood River Bridge has long been cited for replacement, due to its outdated narrow lanes and weight restrictions. The Port of Hood River has said the bridge is “nearing the end of its serviceable life,” and is unsafe for pedestrians, vehicles and commercial barges.

Discussions surrounding the dangers of the bridge have been ongoing for years, and Keethler said this crash and its implications only “reinforce the sense of urgency and how vulnerable the structure is.”

Fox said the new bridge is still in the design phase. Foundation work could start in late 2025, with the bridge becoming open to the public in 2029.

While he had not anticipated the nature of the accident, Fox said it did not come as a surprise, given the noted shortcomings of the bridge.

“It was bound to happen sooner or later,” he said. “Now, we gotta put it back together and get the operation going again.”

Clarification: This story has been updated to say Mike Fox is a commissioner of the Port of Hood River.