River pilots see vessels come within feet of hitting bridge over Columbia River near Longview

Columbia River shipping industry leaders say there is a growing risk the Lewis and Clark Bridge between Rainier and Longview could be hit by a large vessel and possibly collapse.

About four years ago, industry leaders say a cruise ship came within at least a few feet of hitting the structure.

In addition, roughly two dozen ships experience engine failures while navigating the entire Columbia River each year.

The first weekend of February, for instance, a ship headed out to sea from the Port of Longview lost power, just beside the Lewis and Clark Bridge. Tug boats were on hand to help and quickly rerouted, said Capt. Jeremy Nielsen, the president of the Columbia River Pilots, which pilots ships from Astoria to ports along the river.

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/03/02/river-pilots-see-vessels-come-within-feet-of-hitting-bridge-over-columbia-river-near-longview/