The Thomas Creek Bridge on the Oregon Coast

The highest bridge in the U.S. state of Oregon, the Thomas Creek Bridge is a triple span deck truss that crosses a deep valley overlooking the Pacific Ocean on coastal route 101. The south span is the largest of the three at 371 feet (113 mtrs). Two towering truss supports rise 270 feet (82 mtrs) above their foundations in 9 sections of 30 feet (9 mtrs). Bridge engineer Ivan D. Merchant designed several other bridges in the state including the North and South Umpqua River I-5 bridges and the Astoria-Megler bridge over the mouth of the Columbia River. The Thomas Creek bridge is very difficult to photograph from below with most trails terminating at the edge of a cliff. There is parking on both ends of the bridge with trails descending from the south side.