BROOKINGS, Ore. -- State bridge engineers have started a beam-by-beam inspection of the bridges that most closely resemble the one that collapsed in Minnesota last week.

The engineers started Monday with Oregon's tallest bridge, the Thomas Creek Bridge near the southern coast. In the coming weeks, they plan to finish examining 42 other bridges built with steel trusses beneath decks on which traffic flows.

"These are critical bridges, so it's not a bad idea to take an additional look every once in a while," bridge engineer Bruce Johnson said.

The inspections result from national concern over bridge safety following the fall of the Interstate 35W bridge. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters on Thursday ordered all states to immediately inspect all steel deck truss bridges similar to the Minneapolis one.

Oregon transportation officials have targeted all 43 steel deck trusses in the state. The list includes 28 state-owned highways and others owned by counties, cities or other agencies.

Gov. Ted Kulongoski ordered the Oregon Department of Transportation to conduct the inspections.

The first bridges set for reinspection this week were chosen because equipment and personnel are available nearby, Johnson said. The department will next examine bridges based on how recently they received routine inspections.

One bridge on the reinspection list -- the Thurman Street Bridge in Portland -- is already scheduled for a 10-year inspection next week using ultrasound technology to locate cracks below the surface of a steel beam, said David O'Longaigh, supervising engineer in the Portland Office of Transportation's bridge department.

The bridge, which is near a popular entrance to Forest Park, was built in 1905 by a private streetcar operator, O'Longaigh said. A state grant will help the city soon replace some of its wooden support members, he said.