TERREBONNE, OR -- Smith Rock State Park is expected to be a big tourist draw over Spring Break, but visitors may encounter a road construction project in the area. Deschutes County Road Department Director Chris Doty tells KBND News crews are, "Replacing a bridge on Smith Rock Way, just east of the main entrance or turn-off to Smith Rock State Park."

Because of length restrictions on nearby O’Neil Highway, the bridge is frequently used by heavy trucks traveling to and from Crook County. An estimated 900 vehicles travel that stretch of Smith Rock Way each day. The bridge is about 80 years old, although its deck was replaced in 1971, "It’s outlived its useful life expectancy; being replaced as we speak. So that section of road will be shut down for the next couple of months. There will be detours in place."

The two-lane bridge crosses the canal, east of Northeast 33rd. Doty says the work, "Shouldn’t affect a lot of folks accessing the park because it’s on the east side of that entrance. But that’s a project that has an impact, nonetheless, to the traveling public." 

He expects the million dollar project to be complete by June.