Covered bridge closing for 4 months

RAINBOW: The Belknap covered Bridge will be closed from August 15th to November 17th for rehabilitation work. The project includes replacing some of the structural elements of the truss as well as replacing the floor decking. The exterior will receive a new coat of paint as well.

In addition, the $830,475 project also involves adding lights down the middle of the bridge (inside) to increase safety, especially for pedestrians. Workers from  Oregon Woods, Inc. will be adding “post tensioning” along the bottom, which helps strengthen the structure.

During the project motorists can take a detour route from McKenzie River Drive to Highway 126, to Cougar Dam Road and then to West King Road. The project is funded in part by two federal programs: the National Historic Covered Bridge Preservation Project and the Highway Bridge Fund.

Image: Prior rehabilitation included repainting the bridge in 2003.

McKenzie River Reflections