Hood River-White Salmon Interstate Bridge

The Hood River-White Salmon Interstate Bridge is a historic and heavily trafficked span crossing the Columbia River, directly connecting the bustling community of Hood River, Oregon, with White Salmon and Bingen in Washington. Originally constructed by the Oregon-Washington Bridge Company, the structure opened to the public in December 1924 as a private venture to facilitate local trade and agricultural transit. In 1950, the Port of Hood River purchased the bridge, transitioning it into a publicly owned asset. As the second-oldest bridge spanning the Columbia River, it stands today as a vital economic artery and an enduring landmark within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.

Structurally, the bridge is a prominent example of a steel truss design, featuring a total length of approximately 4,418 feet. It was built with a specialized lift span to accommodate maritime traffic, though it had to undergo a massive engineering modification in 1938. The completion of the Bonneville Dam downstream raised the river’s water level drastically, forcing workers to raise the entire bridge by several feet and convert the original swing span into a vertical-lift span. The narrow, two-lane deck features no pedestrian walkways or bicycle lanes, forcing its nearly 4 million annual vehicular travelers into a shared, intimate driving space.

One of the most noteworthy and unique characteristics of the crossing is its distinctive steel grated decking. Driving across the bridge produces a loud, vibrating, humming drone as vehicle tires roll over the exposed open metal. Furthermore, it operates as a toll bridge, utilizing both electronic transponder scanning and traditional cash booths to fund the heavy, continuous maintenance required to preserve the aging steel infrastructure.

Due to its advanced age and narrow design, the bridge serves as a focal point for modern regional infrastructure planning. The structure's weight and width restrictions mean that modern commercial semi-trucks must carefully navigate the tight clearance, often moving at a crawl to pass oncoming traffic safely. Consequently, a dedicated bi-state commission has launched an extensive multi-year project to design and construct a modern, wider replacement bridge nearby. Until that future project reaches completion, the existing green steel towers of the vertical lift span remain a beloved, nostalgic symbol of the Gorge's early 20th-century development.

Fun Facts

A journey across the Hood River-White Salmon Interstate Bridge can be a harrowing experience for first-time visitors, as the bridge’s open-grate deck allows drivers and passengers to look directly down to the rushing waters of the Columbia River hundreds of feet below.

Attraction Advice

The Hood River-White Salmon Interstate Bridge is open year-round, 24 hours per day. There is no toll required to cross the bridge.