PORTLAND, Ore. — Drivers should expect delays on Highway 101 on the Oregon Coast during Labor Day weekend. The highway is down to one single lane of traffic after damage to a bridge near Manzanita prompted an emergency inspection.
A section of sidewalk and guardrail collapsed on the Necarney Creek Bridge in Oswald West State Park Thursday afternoon. The Oregon Department of Transportation told KGW that the section of highway was being closed as a "precaution" until an inspection can be done of the bridge.
"We do suspect it was struck by a vehicle and not reported to us," said David House, public affairs for ODOT. "Which is not a good thing, but the good news is apparently no one was hurt."
Hours later, ODOT said that one lane was open over the bridge with flaggers directing traffic. The single-lane traffic flagging is expected to continue into the Labor Day weekend, so the agency said to expect delays traveling in the Oswald West State Park area.
Currently, ODOT has no estimate for how long the lane closure will last, but flaggers will be there 24 hours a day until repairs to the bridge can be made.
"Please drive carefully and watch for traffic slowdowns during this busy holiday travel weekend," ODOT said.
If you're looking to avoid the backups on Highway 101, the nearest detour is back east on Highway 26, then south on Oregon Route 53. It typically takes about 50 minutes, which could be worth it, depending on the back ups.
"I think a lot of people are going to be on the coast, this last chance before school starts to get to the coast," House said. "So we really want people to be aware of how they need to travel and what to expect, whether there's going to be any delay at all or whether there's going to be a detour."
The Necarney Creek Bridge and the section of sidewalk that failed were built in 1937, ODOT said. While portions of the bridge have been replaced over the years, the section that's missing had been part of the original construction.
"So, it's been there a long time and that's why we think it was probably hit by a vehicle and not reported to us," House said.