A semitruck smashed into the Hood River-White Salmon Interstate Bridge on Thursday, causing severe damage and closing the nearly century-old span indefinitely.

The Port of Hood River, which operates the bridge, said the collision occurred just before noon. No injuries were reported.

Oregon Public Broadcasting reported the truck, traveling south on the bridge, was carrying an excavator that crashed into an overhead support on the bridge’s lift span.

The bridge connects the cities of Hood River and White Salmon in Washington state, and it links Interstate 84 and Oregon 30 with Washington State Route 14.

The nearest crossings are now The Dalles Bridge and the Bridge of the Gods by Cascade Locks. The nearer of the two, in The Dalles, means a detour of more than 40 miles.

The port said in an update Friday the consulting firm HDR Engineering would evaluate whether the bridge can reopen. The company has begun designing necessary repairs, which the port said will be presented at a public meeting Sunday.

The port said ships have been passing under the bridge as normal.

The port’s website describes the bridge as “deficient by modern standards.” The port has worked for years to replace the century-old bridge, said Michael Shannon, director of the bridge replacement project.

That work could begin in late 2025, with expected completion in late 2029, but that timeline depends on funding from state and federal sources.

Shannon said the crash and closure make securing that funding more vital today.

“It just stresses the need to replace the structure,” Shannon said.

— Andrew Miller covers business news. Reach him at amiller@oregonian.com or 971-803-2954.