Northbound traffic on Highway 99W is being detoured to the Highway 34 bypass

The Marys River Bridge, closed Wednesday after a flatbed truck carrying a forklift crashed into three of its cross beams, won't reopen for at least another 10 to 14 days, the state Department of Transportation announced Thursday.

The bridge carries northbound traffic on Highway 99W through Corvallis. Until it reopens, northbound traffic will be rerouted to the Highway 34 bypass, where travelers can return to downtown via Harrison Boulevard.

Ron Mendell, the truck's driver, miscalculated the height of the forklift on the back of his truck, he said. He thought it would clear the bridge, but instead the forklift hit the first three beams.

The first cross beam was dented, the second scraped, and the third was torn, wrenched from the side supports, which were bent. A vertical beam was also broken in half. This happened at about 10:30 a.m.

"It's bad news. The damage isn't extensive, but the cross beams are at such a critical location that the damage compromises the strength and carrying capacity of the entire structure," said Joe Harwood, ODOT spokesman.

ODOT bridge engineers are still calculating the extent of repairs required. When finished, they will design repair drawings and send these to bridge repair contractors for bid. Harwood has no cost estimate at this time.

Harwood said drivers should expect delays while the bridge remains closed.

"It's going to be a hardship on residents, commuters and businesses. I wish there was something we could do to get it open sooner, but the bottom line is safety comes first," he said.