The Astoria-Megler Bridge is a continuous truss bridge that spans the mouth of the Columbia River between Astoria, Oregon and Point Ellice near Megler, Washington. It was the last segment of U.S. Route 101 between Canada and Mexico. It is the longest continuous truss bridge in North America.
The bridge was built to replace a ferry service purchased by the Oregon Department of Transportation in 1946. This ferry service did not operate during inclement weather and the half an hour travel time caused delays. The bridge was built jointly by the Oregon Department of Transportation and Washington Department of Transportation. Construction began on November 51962. The concrete piers were cast at Tongue Point, 4 miles (6 km) upriver. The steel structure was built in segments at Vancouver, Washington, 90 miles (145 km) upriver, then barged downstream where hydraulic jacks lifted them into place. On August 271966, with more than 30,000 people in attendance, Governors Mark Hatfield of Oregon and Dan Evans of Washington opened the bridge by cutting a ceremonial ribbon. The cost of the project was $24 million and was paid for by tolls that were removed on December 241993.
The bridge is 21,474 ft (6,545 m) in length and carries one lane of traffic in each direction. The main span is closest to the Oregon side. The bridge was built to withstand 150 mph (240 km/h) wind gusts and river speeds of 9 mph (14 km/h).
The bridge was also used in a segment of a 1987 Buick Regal TV commercial advertising the brand-new redesigned '88 model that can be found here.
