It spans the Willamette River to connect Salem and West Salem, and acts as a conduit for Oregon Route 22.

The bridge carries vehicular traffic one way westbound.

[1] Construction began in December 1952 and the bridge opened in 1954, after taking nearly three years to complete.

[2][3] The bridge was built to complement the Center Street Bridge, which switched from two-way traffic to eastbound-only, later expanding to four lanes in 1982.

[1] At the time of its opening, the Marion Street Bridge was the longest bridge of its type west of the Mississippi River.