Rickety 100-year old Hood River bridge reopens days after suffering severe damage - would you drive across it?

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A 100-year-old bridge that sits above a 25-mile-long river in Oregon reopened just three days after a truck caused severe damage to the structure.

Officials have for decades toyed with the idea of replacing the Hood River bridge, which serves as a vital route for residents in the Columbia Gorge.

And on Thursday morning its stability was tested even further when a semi-truck crashed into the lift span, leaving a crack in the girder.

The Port of Hood River, which operates the span of the bridge, re-opened the rickety bridge on Sunday but noted it is 'near the end of its serviceable life.' It is now only open to passenger vehicles.

Commercial trucks are not allowed on the bridge 'to prevent another accidental strike to the overhead bracing while the bridge remains in a damaged state,' the Post of Hood River said in a Facebook post.

The Hood River-White Salmon Bridge partially reopened on Sunday after a semi-truck crashed into the lift span on Thursday morning, leaving a crack in the girder

The semi-truck damaged six beams and gusset plates, which keep the beams together

The bridge connects Interstate 84 to Washington State Route 14, between the cities of White Salmon and Hood River, which has a population of more than 8,300.

'Electronic tolling will be implemented, and traffic control personnel will be stationed at both entrances around the clock to ensure compliance,' officials said.

'A schedule for the permanent repairs will be provided later in the week.'

Following the crash, the bridge was immediately closed so engineers could assess the 'severe damage.'

No injuries were reported and commuters were told to take alternate routes.

Mike Fox, the co-chair of the Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Authority, said that a bucket attached to the truck was sticking up too high at the time of the crash.

Mike Fox, the co-chair of the Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Authority, said that a bucket attached to the truck was sticking up too high at the time of the crash

The semi-truck damaged six beams and gusset plates, which keep the beams in place.

'The gusset plates on it where he hit were damaged extensively — they actually ripped and then bent,' Fox said.

'More than likely, they’re going to have to be replaced and some of the beams will have to be replaced.'

On Sunday morning the Port of Hood River Commission met with engineers to go over recommendations and determine if the bridge was safe to reopen.

Many residents in Columbia Gorge rely on the bridge to travel to work, shopping areas and medical services in Hood River.

Allisson Williams, the Hood River County Administrator, explained that around 30 percent of employees in Hood River live outside the county and rely on the bridge for their commute.

Williams expressed her concern if the bridge has to be shut down for a longer period of time, which would slow down service and lengthen commutes for workers.

White Salmon Mayor Marla Keethler said that the city is now focused on creating a plan in the event of an emergency.

The bridge connects Interstate 84 to Washington State Route 14, between the cities of White Salmon and Hood River, which has a population of more than 8,300

When the bridge first closed following the accident, Keethler said it would have a 'direct and immediate impact' on the community.

She told Oregon Public Broadcasting the city was considering ferry or shuttle service options for the community.

The bridge was built in 1924 and in 1938 it was completely redone.  The Port of Hood River has been preparing to replace the ancient structure as the agency said it is unsafe for commercial barges, vehicles and pedestrians.

In March, the Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Replacement Project announced it was set to receive an extra $8million in federal funding, according to the bridge replacement website.

Prior to the additional funding, the project was awarded a $200million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Fox said: 'We’re committed to delivering a new bridge by October 2029, and this funding brings us that much closer.

'What’s more, every dollar we get from the government is a dollar local residents won’t have to repay in tolls on the future bridge.

'We’re incredibly grateful to the Congressional delegation from Washington and Oregon for securing funding for this critical interstate connector.'

Allisson Williams, the Hood River County Administrator, explained that around 30 percent of employees in Hood River live outside the county and rely on the bridge for their commute

Fox admitted that he was not surprised by the accident that he said 'was bound to happen'

In May 2021, Fox admitted that the bridge is 'old,' 'narrow' and considered 'unsafe' by many people.

'Replacement efforts have been too slow and fragmented. This needs to change immediately to make sure a new bridge is in place before the old one is shut down,' he told Columbia Gorge News.

The co-chair previously said that the new bridge could start being built in late 2025, with an estimated completion expected in 2029.

He admitted that he was not surprised by the accident that he said 'was bound to happen.'

'It was bound to happen sooner or later,' he said. 'Now, we gotta put it back together and get the operation going again.'

DailyMail.com contacted Fox and the Port of Hood River for comment.