Crossing the historic Ferry Street Bridge in Oregon
The Ferry Street Bridge is a historic four-lane steel truss bridge spanning 240 meters (800 ft) across the Willamette River in Eugene, in the US state of Oregon. Opened in 1950, the bridge carries Coburg Road, linking downtown Eugene with the northern suburbs and Interstate 5. It's one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.
| Road facts: Ferry Street Bridge | |
|---|---|
| Location | Eugene (Lane County), Oregon (USA) |
| Route Designation | Coburg Road |
| Total Length | 240 m (800 ft) |
| Structure Type | Four-lane steel through truss bridge |
| Opening Date | 1950 |
| Daily Traffic Volume | ~72,862 vehicles per day |
| Structural Classification | Fracture critical (non-redundant load-bearing members) |
| Surface | Fully paved 4-lane asphalt deck |
Where is the Ferry Street Bridge located?
The bridge sits across the Willamette River near Alton Baker Park in central Eugene. Carrying Coburg Road, it acts as a main urban artery connecting the city center directly to northern residential districts, commercial zones, and the OR-126 freeway corridor.
What type of structure carries Coburg Road?
Completed in 1950, the 800-foot structure is a multi-span steel through truss bridge handling four lanes of continuous traffic. The design is officially designated as fracture critical by transportation engineers, meaning the steel frame lacks redundant structural members and relies on every primary beam to prevent localized or catastrophic collapse.
How much traffic uses the Ferry Street Bridge?
It is one of the busiest river crossings in Lane County, carrying an average of 72,862 vehicles daily. High traffic volume during morning and evening rush hours creates heavy bottlenecks across the four lanes leading into the steel framework.
What are the driving conditions on the Ferry Street Bridge?
The paved deck experiences continuous high-density traffic, with narrow lane widths inside the steel truss portal frame. Rainstorms common to the Pacific Northwest create slick asphalt surfaces, while heavy commuter merges on the Coburg Road approaches increase rear-end collision risks.