Astoria-Megler Bridge

Bridges, bridges. they are everywhere here in Oregon. Each once is special in its own way.
This one connects Washington and Oregon. Two lanes wide on the Oregon side then narrows down to one lane wide as you seem to glide right above the water. Lots of good photo ops for passengers.
One thing I did notice was there was a lot of trash on the shoulder. Come on people. Really, throwing your trash out while driving over a bridge? Not cool at all.
There is a camera on the Oregon side of the bridge that you can look up online to check out traffic/​weather conditions.

I would rate this bridge a 3.5.
I thought going north bound was a fun little drive and it felt like a roller coaster in the beginning.
No traffic and great views of the ocean, bridge, and town. M

Great engineering marvel. It’s also free. Goes up pretty high too, save your brakes on the way down and use some engine braking.
The entrance to the bridge is sort of West of the bridge opening. Follow the signs, don’t spend too much time staring at the bridge!
On the Washington side of the river to the West of the bridge is a one-​lane road each way without a turnout point where you can stop and take pictures. Looks great in the sunset.

I’m not even originally from this state and I love this bridge. Always have and always will. If you ever find yourself around these parts, do yourself a favor and visit this spectacle. The Memorial Park around it is also worth a visit. Serene, solemn, cold. All sorts of perfect.

While traveling to Oregon a friend of mine from overseas wanted to go over this bridge so we made the trip. It is only a two lane bridge but it is about 4 miles long. I think the narrow width of the bridge gives an added experience to the crossing. The cantilever-​span section, is closest to the Oregon side so you can get some good pictures of it from right below it in Astoria. I recommend taking pictures from the Oregon side verses the Washington side. There is also much more to see and do in Astoria.
The bridge itself has a somewhat unique look from many of the bridges we have back east and overseas so it is worth a closer look from the land. There are some great shots from the bridge as well but I was driving so I didn’t take any at the time.
The Astoria-​Megler Bridge will have it’s fiftieth anniversary in August of 2016. It does not look that old but the narrow width of it gives its age away.
I have been on this bridge when it was stormy and the wind can really blow here at times. But don’t worry, the bridge can withstand winds of up to about 150 miles an hour. It is also a quick drive across so even if the wind is blowing you wont be on it for very long.

Beautiful, even though it was a drive to nowhere for us. We were in Astoria, so went across the bridge just for the view. it was chilly and rainy, but still a beautiful view. You sit almost right on the water for most of it. Could almost get wet!

For the first time in my life I drove this bridge today from Washington to Oregon. The Astoria-​Megler Bridge is a marvel of human innovation and engineering power. It commands both sea and sky.
Additionally, the Astoria-​Megler Bridge is a graveyard littered with dozens of dead birds. I mean, good Lord, there was like a three to four dozen dead seagulls in various states of decomposition along with a DEAD PELICAN. I didn’t even know we HAD pelicans around here. Have you ever ran over a dead rotting bird the size of a rugby ball because you can’t stop — one lane each way — or swerve, because you’d have a head-​on collision with opposing traffic? Yeah, it’s not a BUMP BUMP like you’d expect, from a speed bump or a big mammal body or something. No, it’s a really quiet, barely audible little whump whump. Three times on the drive back from Oregon today. Whump whump. Whump whump. Whump whump. Little birdie bodies being compacted further into the black top.
At first I was like, «dead seagull.» Oh, well.
Huh, another one. No thought, kept going.
Hey, cool! The seagulls are hovering and keeping pace with us at 40 miles per hour. And directly over the wall. And now right over us. It’s looking down. «If this was a truck,» my wife says, «That’s a dead bird.»
Two more. Huh. That’s odd. She’s right. One bad swerve and it’s a bird in your car’s grill.
Now we’re up to eight, and we’re just coming up on the climb to Astoria heading away from Washington. And here’s another four. We’re not even paying attention to the other side at this point.
An hour later we’re coming back, and… oh no. If the other direction was a bird massacre, this is the bird graveyard.
Is that a DAMN PELICAN?
Meanwhile, their brothers soar beside you on the windows of the Columbia River, watching… and waiting.

I have lived in Astoria for 2 years and I never noticed this bridge before until today. The views on the bridge are cool but good luck if you break down.

The Astoria-​Megler Bridge is free, well-​built and scenic. It connects Astoria, Oregon with Megler, Washington, and thus the two different states. Entering it from Astoria was interesting. The view is vast and some of the bridge has a beautiful view, other parts not so much.
When I visited, they stopped the cars to allow a smoother flow, but just for four or so minutes. The drive is about ten minutes, which feels a little excessive for how close the two states are.
Each state has it’s own highways near the Columbia and the bridge will allow you to access either one.
Ultimately, the bridge is worth visiting. It doesn’t cost you a penny. The view is pretty. You can easily start looking into either states. A little drive on it might be nice.

«Nice drive, good views, bucket list»
4 ½ miles of scenery each way. Imagine how they would have built this in the weather conditions. Definitely worth the time.

Beautiful bridge that links Washington to Oregon.
Some of the roughest waters in the world. The waters have been know to toss 25 ton boulders.
The combination of the Columbia river waters meeting the Pacific Ocean, the shallow river bottom with the rocky shoreline makes this one of the most treacherous rivers to enter.
The Coastguard are busy boys with over 400 rescues a year.

I’m giving this bridge a 2-​star review because it feels unsafe, especially at night. Your life is completely at the mercy of oncoming drivers for 4 miles, and the hill section is particularly dicey. Distances of oncoming cars can be hard to judge. There is no shoulder to escape to if someone swerves into your lane, and accident reports bear this out. It feels like driving on a straight bobsled course. Very little margin for error.
Anyone who’d try to walk or ride a bike across it is insane. They have to close a lane for special events.
There should be signs at both ends telling fools to put down their cellphones. Only passengers should take photos from this bridge. Don’t accept a ride over this bridge from flaky drivers, no matter how well you know them.
(Street View showing what I mean)

Beautiful to look at. So fun to drive over. Really scary to be a passenger driving over. Undergoing a little construction, so short delays and added fear factor, if like me, you want to psych yourself out that it might be broken somewhere.
My boyfriend did not get it at first: it’s a bridge, big deal. He changed his mind, and was stopping to photograph it before we left town, despite construction.
Even if you don’t need to get to the other side, DO IT.
The gulls follow you along the side rails, catching little updrafts. It’s kind of magical.
And like one person said — It’s green! (Scottish accent implied)
And by the way, Ilwaco, WA has the best fried oysters I have ever had at Olé Bob’s and the Time Enough bookstore was totally worth a stop, so DO IT.

I love driving over and photographing bridges so imagine my happiness when I spotted this engineering beauty.
This is a spectacular truss bridge that is a another must visit when you’re in Astoria. I videoed the ride while my friend drove. Took 5 minutes + to make the trip.
When you get on the Washington side, take a quick little side trip to see a Lewis and Clark camp site at Dismal Nitch. And then stand in awe and wonder at this powerful river that has shaped the West.
Drive the AMB! You’ll be happy you did.

The Astoria-​Megler Bridge passes over the Columbia River and connects the states of Washington and Oregon. It is about 4.1 miles long, and it is the longest continuous truss bridge in North America. With the exception of the portion under repair, it is a beautiful bridge. I hear it is even more attractive at night when it is lighted up. Another plus is that there is no toll! Cannot beat free!

Well, it’ a great bridge. It was built in the early sixties, it was a toll bridge, they paid it off early, and now it’s free to drive across. It does its job, you drive across it. Got to like it. These days public works projects just do not deliver like this did. If you’re in Washington and want to go to Astoria, this is the way to do it.

Five-​star bridge, all around!
It never falls down when I drive over it, and is always there when I need it. Couldn’t ask for more.

Amazing bridge! Not scary at all to me, but if you’re scared of heights, don’t look down.
Last time we drove across, we saw two bald eagles sitting on some protruding logs. Currently, there is a little construction on the Oregon side which is causing slight delays for both directions of traffic.

I don’t know what it is about bridges that I love so much, but there’s something about a really neat looking one that gets me all worked up. Every time I’m in Astoria I drive across this bridge, even though I have absolutely no reason to. It’s just so much fun. And kind of scary, too!
Before this bridge was built, Astoria residents referred to it as «the bridge to nowhere» because they saw no need for it. Those living across the river, in «nowhere» were quite upset about it. But to be fair, there’s isn’t all that much across the way… except the entire state of Washington.
Oh! But you can stop by Dismal Nitch, a little known about Lewis and Clark stopping point on the Washington side of the Columbia. Did you know their party was trapped here for several days in really bad weather, and they were so irritated they named it ‘Dismal Nitch’? Interesting!

Gorgeously constructed bridge over the Columbia River. This roughly 4 mile long bridge is so cool to travel over, especially at night.
We had an excellent view of the whole bridge from our room at the Cannery Pier Hotel. Just awesome!