Astoria-Megler Bridge

Spanning the lower Columbia River, the Astoria-Megler Bridge links the Oregon and Washington sections of U.S. 101, the Pacific Coast Highway.  Opened in 1966, the Astoria-Megler Bridge stretches 4.1 miles from Astoria, Oregon to Point Ellice, Washington and is the longest continuous truss bridge in North America.

• The Astoria-Megler Bridge was the final segment of U.S. 101 to be completed, connecting Olympia, Washington to Los Angeles, California.
• Ferry service was available for river crossings prior to the bridge opening. The Dismal Nitch Rest Area, Washington (our race’s starting line) was the northern ferry landing.
• Toll free! The cost of the project was $24 million (equivalent to $149 million in 2020 dollars) and was paid for by tolls that were removed on December 24, 1993, more than two years earlier than planned.
• Annual Average Daily Traffic per Oregon Department of Transportation is reported at more than 9,000 vehicles crossing in both directions. (2019)

Pedestrians are only allowed to cross the Astoria-Megler Bridge once a year, during the Great Columbia Crossing 10K!  Starting at 8:30 a.m. on race day, the Astoria-Megler Bridge will be CLOSED to all vehicle traffic, to allow the race to start promptly at 8:45 a.m.  The bridge will reopen to regular traffic at 11:00 a.m. Washington Highway 401 is also closed during the start of the race to allow participants to get from starting line to the bridge.