Lane County approves emergency funds to save two historic covered bridges

Lane County commissioners approved emergency money Tuesday to stabilize two historic covered bridges near Cottage Grove that engineers say are in serious trouble, a move officials say is meant to prevent a collapse while keeping both structures closed to foot traffic.

The county authorized up to $500,000 in transient lodging tax reserves for the Stewart Bridge and the Currin Bridge, which are no longer part of the county road system and no longer generally qualify for road funds. Lane County has said significant maintenance on both bridges has been deferred since 1995, leaving the county with a narrow window to act before another winter or a delayed construction season does more damage.

Inspectors have found failing support cords at Stewart Bridge, which crosses Mosby Creek, and crushing in the support system under Currin Bridge, which spans the Row River. A DOWL inspection report dated Oct. 14, 2021 had already identified timber decay in Stewart Bridge members, while a May 6, 2009 report found timber decay in Currin Bridge truss members. County officials said the emergency work is not a full restoration, but a stabilization effort designed to keep both bridges standing while longer-term plans are developed.

The timing matters. Lane County says summer 2026 is an important construction window, and officials have warned they cannot wait another winter without risking further deterioration and possible failure. Even after the repairs, both bridges are expected to remain closed, because safety concerns are still substantial and the work is aimed at preserving the structures, not reopening them to pedestrians.

The bridges carry deep historical weight in south Lane County. Stewart Bridge was built in 1930 and restored in 1996, while Currin Bridge was built in 1925, replacing an 1883 covered bridge built by local bridge builder Nels Roney. Both were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. Lane County Parks maintains the bridges as registered historic structures, not as active transportation assets.

Their value reaches beyond nostalgia. Cottage Grove calls itself the Covered Bridge Capital of Oregon, says six covered bridges in Lane County sit in or around the city, and promotes a covered bridge route and scenic bikeway that draw visitors. The Federal Highway Administration says the Cottage Grove Covered Bridge Tour Route is a 20-mile loop that visits seven covered bridges, including Stewart and Currin. For Lane County, the emergency funding is a bid to protect a defining piece of south county heritage before time, weather and deferred maintenance close the book on two of its best-known landmarks.