[5] The tolls were removed on August 30, 1974, and ownership of the bridge was transferred to the states of Oregon and Washington on November 1 of that year following the repayment of bonds.

[6][7][8] The Washington State Department of Transportation became the lead agency responsible for maintenance and operating the structure.

[11] During the closure, a traffic jam from the August 21, 2017, solar eclipse caused mile-long backups approaching the Columbia River.

[12] The second project to repaint the steel truss structure is estimated to cost $40 million and is expected to be funded at a later date.

The configuration of the span is unusual in the fact that it takes advantage of a submerged island near the middle of the Columbia River.