The bridge over the Metolius River next to the Camp Sherman Store will close for repairs starting Wednesday.

Peter Murphy, spokesman for the Oregon Department of Transportation in Central Oregon, said his agency will be doing the work on behalf of the Jefferson County Public Works Department.

“What makes this unusual is it’s not on a state highway, but I think it needed to be done by an agency that knows how to work on bridges, and we do,” Murphy said.

Murphy said the work is being done to address erosion where the bridge pilings meet the river bottom. Crews will be drilling through the bridge deck in to the existing pilings, he said, and add steel and concrete to reinforce the structure.

Camp Sherman Road will be closed in both directions at the bridge through Dec. 31. Signs marking the preferred detour route are scheduled to go up Monday.

— Reporter: 541-383-0387,

shammers@bendbulletin.com