Built by the Oregon, Pacific and Eastern Railroad, the Chambers Bridge is the last covered railroad bridge in Oregon.
Although the bridge trusses are now exposed, at one time the siding completely enclosed the structure to provide maximum
protection for the timbers.
In the typical construction for railroad spans, truss members of huge proportions were needed to support the weight of railroad payloads.
The western approach to the bridge has been removed to make way for the easement of South River Road.
Built to accommodate steam engines pulling logging trains, the sides of the Chambers Bridge reach much higher than highway covered
bridges.
The bridge was inspected under the 1993-95 Covered Bridge Program.
The bottom chords show extensive decay, and in some places three of the four members are rotted.
In several places all three members of the floor beams are rotted.
Corbels are decayed and crushed, which makes the house lean as much as 12 inches to the upstream side.
Exit Interstate 5 at Cottage Grove.
Travel south on Highway 99 to Harrison Avenue.
Turn west on Harrison to Old River Road.
Turn south on Old River Road. Chambers Bridge is off of Old River Road just south of Harrison.
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Benton County
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