DUII Crash Leaves Historic Gold Hill Bridge Closed Indefinitely

A nearly century-old bridge in Gold Hill has been closed indefinitely after a suspected DUII crash caused major structural damage Sunday night.

The crash happened May 31 around 8:34 p.m. in the 1600 block of Lampman Road, where the Lampman Road Bridge crosses Galls Creek. According to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a single-vehicle crash and later found the 27-year-old female driver walking away from the scene.

Deputies said the woman showed signs of impairment and agreed to perform field sobriety tests. A breath test later showed a blood alcohol content of 0.24 percent, three times Oregon’s legal limit. She was arrested for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants. Rogue River Police also assisted at the scene.

The crash left the historic steel truss bridge badly damaged. After reviewing the damage, Jackson County Roads and Parks determined the bridge is not safe for vehicles, bicycles, or pedestrians. It is now closed to all traffic, and drivers in the area will need to use alternate routes.

Steve Lambert, Jackson County Roads and Parks Director, said key structural parts of the bridge trusses were damaged badly enough to raise serious concerns about the bridge’s stability.

“To ensure the safety of our residents, the bridge will be closed and first responders have been notified,” Lambert said.

Lambert said the county had already secured grant funding to replace the bridge, and design work is already underway. However, he said the closure is expected to last for an extended period while the county continues working through the design and procurement process with ODOT.

No injuries were reported in the crash. The sheriff’s office said the incident is another reminder of the risks of impaired driving, with one decision now leaving a historic public bridge closed indefinitely and affecting a local transportation route.