Skip to main content

Oregon State Flag An official website of the State of Oregon »

Project-Details







OR 34: Van Buren Bridge Project

Construction Phase

Region 2: Willamette Valley and Northwest Oregon (Corvallis, Benton, Linn)


​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​This project aims to ensure a safe and earthquake-ready bridge over the Willamette River on eastbound OR 34.​​​​

Banner: Slow down, in the work zone it could save lives. Building a modern transportation system to help Oregon’s communities and economy thrive. During construction, Give yourself more time, try a new way or mode to get there or take a different route.

Impacts

Traffic Impact

None at this time.

Construction Impacts

We are working on building the temporary detour bridge and work bridge. This work is noisy. We are currently working during the daytime, six days a week Monday through Saturday.

The bike and pedestrian path under the bridge on both the east and west sides are now closed. These paths will be closed for the duration of the project. Alternate routes are marked​

The river channel is marked with buoy lines and signs directing river users where to go.

Online Open House

The construction online open house is LIVE!
Check it out to learn more about construction staging and potential impacts.​

Construction Activities

​Construction noise from pile driving has started and will continue through October as we build the detour and work bridges

Visit TripCheck​ for the most current traffic information.​


​Pedestrians, including those with disabilities, will have access through or around work zones. ​


work zone construction iconPay attention in the work zone, slow down and move over – imagine this is where you work! 

Always drive safely, watch for construction signs and workers. 

Remember: fines double in all Oregon work zones, whether workers and signs are present or not. ​​

Details

About

​Project Information:

The existing Van Buren Bridge is considered seismically vulnerable, and will be removed and replaced. The bridge is a ​bottleneck​ to travelers and freight as it is narrow, has low clearance, and is currently weight restricted to 12 tons.

The new earthquake ready bridge will be built in the existing location, and will include two eastbound travel lanes, a bike lane, and a protected bicycle and pedestrian path.  There will also be improvements to the intersection of Van Buren Avenue and NW First Street, where a new signal will replace the current flashing yellow pedestrian crossing light. 

If you are having issues opening the sections below, try using the Chrome browser.​

1979-1983:
An Environmental Impact Statement was completed to consider an alternate route for traffic to bypass the central business area of Corvallis.

2004:
Previous plans to study bridge options were revived.

2005:
An Environmental Baseline Report was completed to help determine requirements for the new Van Buren Bridge. A Bridge and Roadway Alternatives Report was also completed to study design options for locating a new Van Buren Bridge.

2006-2007:
Design options included a new bridge parallel to the existing bridge, a curved bridge between the old bridge and the Harrison Street Bridge and a bypass north to connect with OR 99W. No funding was available.

2008-2009:
An Existing Traffic Conditions Report was completed and focused on conducting additional traffic studies.

2017:
The State Legislature’s passage of House Bill 2017 provided more bridge funding and project planning resumed.

What has been done?

Design and Project Development Activities

  • Design firm contracted and project kicked off in early 2019.​
  • Project development team began design, concept development and public engagement.
  • Right of way phase began in late Summer of 2020.
  • Cultural Resource work started in 2019.
  • Permits, applications, drafts and submittals.​ ​

Where we are at now:

The project has gone to bid and the construction contract has been awarded to Hamilton Construction. 

What is next?

We are working to finalize the construction schedule and preparing an online open house to explore the construction staging and potential impacts. 

Past outreach and events:

(1983) Environmental Impact Statement - Study to examine an alternate route for traffic, which encomp​assed Van Bure​n Street Bridge and resulted in the South Bypass Project in 1995.​​

(2005) Bridge and Roadway Alternatives Concepts Report – Provides the bridge and roadway alternative concepts for the preliminary alternatives under consideration for the Willamette River (Van Buren Street) Bridge Project.

(2005) Environmental Baseline Report - Identify and characterize resources in the area that may be impacted by the Willamette River (Van Buren Street) Bridge project.

(2009) Corvallis Willamette River Crossing/Van Buren Bridge Proposed Solutions 2009 Traffic Analysis​ – The Corvallis Willamette River Crossing Alternatives Project works to find a solution ​to congestion in downtown Corvallis near the Van Buren Bridge.

(2019) Analysis of roadway alternatives.

(2019) Bridge Repurposing Study of the Willamette River (Van Buren Street) Bridge.

(2019) Historic Resource Baseline Report.

(2021) Section 106 Final Determinations of Eligibility.​

(2022) Section 106 Findings of Effects (FOE) Documents.​

(2022) Memorandum of Agreement on Mitigation for Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act

(2022)  Section 4(f) de minimis impact  

(2022) Programmatic Categorical Exclusion

(2022) Section 4(f) Programmatic for Historic Bridges (some appendix items will need to be opened separately)  | Printed and scanned version​ (all appendix and signature pages attached)

Please contact us if:

  • If you are unable to open a file. (Chrome browser works best)
  • Need the information in an alternate format.
  • Would like to request copies with the signed signature pages.

Schedule​

​Project Development: 2019-2022
Construction started in May 2023 and is estimated to complete in 2026.
Schedules may change as the project constructs.

Location

OR 34 | Van Buren Bridge in Corvallis

Cost and Funding

​$85.1 million for design and construction​.

Contacts & Media

Aerial rendering of new bridge

Videos


View on YouTube

Image Gallery

Project Contacts

Assistant Resident Engineer
Markus Schaaf
Email
markus.schaaf@odot.oregon.gov
Phone
541-757-4280

Public Information Officer
Mindy McCartt
Email
mindy.m.mccartt@odot.oregon.gov
Phone
503-507-6045
Public Comment Form
Submit a commentfor project

Get Project Alerts

Sign up for the newsletter!

Last Updated

9/20/2023 9:59 AM

Project Number

20688