Police Activity on Van Buren Avenue Bridge

At 9:27am the Corvallis Police Department received a report of a suicidal woman on the Van Buren Bridge.  Officers responded and located the woman, who climbed up the steel girders to the top of the bridge.  In response, officers blocked the bridge for the safety of the woman and motorists.  The Corvallis Police Department quickly enlisted assistance from Benton County Behavioral Health to help engage with the woman, Benton County Sheriff’s Office marine patrol in case the woman entered the water below, and ODOT to assist with traffic control. 

As of 3pm the situation has not been resolved, but is stable.  The woman remains on the bridge, but is in a location where she is not in any danger from passing traffic.  As a result, the Van Buren Bridge has been re-opened for vehicular traffic.  Law enforcement and mental health professionals remain on scene, however, and may need to quickly stop traffic should the situation change.

We appreciate the patience of our community while the bridge was closed today, and ask that motorists using the Van Buren Bridge this afternoon/evening use an extra measure of caution as we continue to work to safely resolve the situation.