Multnomah County, OR – The Stark Street Bridge is closed once again Wednesday after a semi-truck struck the bridge’s west approach, according to the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office. Officials say the crash occurred when a truck driver attempted to cross the bridge from East Historic Columbia River Highway while using a phone GPS—an action not allowed for commercial truckers. The driver was cited for careless driving contributing to a crash.
According to Multnomah County officials, bridge engineers are on-site evaluating the extent of the damage. Drivers are being urged to use alternate routes while the bridge remains closed.
This marks the second major incident in just over six months involving the Stark Street Bridge, which reopened March 6, 2025, after six months of emergency repairs. Those repairs followed a partial wall collapse in September 2024 caused by repeated collisions with large vehicles.
County officials say Wednesday’s crash underscores ongoing safety concerns and the need to eventually replace the aging bridge to handle modern traffic demands. The bridge, located over the Sandy River, has been a key commuter link between Troutdale and Gresham for decades.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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