February 28, 2024 3:00 p.m. 

A new era has arrived for this historic community of Oakland.

For two years, work has been underway to replace the aging single-lane Oakland Bridge at the north end of town. Wednesday morning, just before sunrise, traffic was diverted onto the new bridge.

Dan Latham of the Oregon Department of Transportation said built along the north side of the original bridge, the new structure is supporting one lane of traffic until roadway approaches for a second lane are paved next month. Latham said flaggers will provide traffic control for the next few weeks.

Prime contractor, Farline Bridge Inc. of Stayton, began construction in February 2022. All work, including the removal of the old bridge, is scheduled to be completed this summer.

Latham said the original bridge was built in 1925, when vehicles were small and travel lanes narrow. As time passed, the bridge could no longer sustain two lanes of modern traffic. It was eventually limited to a single lane, with a traffic signal at each end.

The new bridge offers two travel lanes with wide shoulders for pedestrians and bicyclists, making travel safer and easier between downtown Oakland and Interstate 5.

ODOT is partnering with Douglas County on the $22.6 million project, which replaces both the Oakland Bridge and the Conn Ford Bridge west of Roseburg. Most of the funding was provided through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Competitive Highway Bridge Program.

Douglas County Commissioner Tom Kress said, “It’s been a fantastic partnership with ODOT on the project to replace the Old Highway 99 Oakland Bridge”. Kress said, “As our 300-plus inventory of bridges continues to age we will continue to research funding opportunities and partnerships to repair or replace those structures in order to provide critical access for residents, schools, first responders, employers and visitors for the next 50-100 years”.

The release said although ODOT and contractors often attempt to salvage rails from historic bridges, the rail on the old Oakland Bridge is contaminated with lead and other hazardous materials. The rail will either be recycled or treated as hazardous waste for disposal.

For more information, visit the project website at: www.oaklandoregonbridge.com