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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

Eastbound traffic is using the new temporary detour bridge.

Construction Impacts

Now that the temporary detour bridge is open, you can expect:

  • A temporary signal at NW Van Buren/1st Street to help direct people whether they drive, walk or roll.

  • NW 1st Street restricted to one way vehicle traffic from NW Van Buren Avenue, for one block in each direction.

  • Restricted driving access to NW Van Buren Avenue from NW 1st Street.

  • No weight restrictions. The detour bridge is open to regular traffic, including semi-trucks, buses and emergency vehicles.

You may see our crews working during the day or night. This work is noisy​. 

Bikes and Pedestrians

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

The new temporary detour bridge includes a separated path shared by pedestrian and bicyclists. This path is now open and is new alternate path to get across the river.

For people biking, walking or rolling from south Corvallis, follow the signed detour to get onto the new path. This detour includes crossing NW Van Buren Avenue at the temporary traffic signal. ​

River Access

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

Online Open House

The construction online open house 
Check out our construction open house to learn more about what to expect and the potential impacts.​

Construction Activities

​You may have seen our crews working to finish the detour bridge in Corvallis. Over the past few weeks we've worked on the driving, walking and biking surface and connected it to the road on both sides of the river. 

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.​

Project Planning and History

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.

Status of Design and Concept Development

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 is under construction, the contract was awarded to Hamilton Construction.  

Public Involvement and Community Outreach Activities

We engaged with key interested parties and the community to get feedback on the design of the bridge, to help determine the mitigation measures and to better understand the impacts that would occur during construction. We held in person and online open houses, sent out several community wide postcards and mailers, with project alerts via emails and social media, held one on one meetings with businesses and property owners who will be directly affected by the project, and continue to have on-going conversations with City Staff and community partners during construction.

Past outreach and events:

​ Project Documents

​

(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 Contact

Community Affairs
Region 2 Communications
Email
Region2comms@odot.oregon.gov
Public Comment Form
Submit a commentfor project

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Last Updated

12/1/2023 12:27 PM

Project Number

20688