Project will include bridge closures; some marine vessel limitations

A project to rebuild and replace the internal mechanics of the Hood Canal Bridge draw span begins this month, and will require some bridge closures and marine vessel limitations.

Starting Saturday, March 18, contractor crews working on the SR 104 Hood Canal Bridge – Special Repair project will begin the task of rehabilitating the structural, electrical, mechanical and hydraulics systems of the longest floating bridge over salt water in the world.

Crews will replace or rebuild the mechanical devices that open and close the bridge, replace the hydraulic hoses and fluid and adjust the wheels that allow portions of the bridge to move. This critical maintenance will help prevent breaks and malfunctions in the bridge’s mechanisms, which can multiply if not prevented or addressed early.

“The Hood Canal Bridge is a lifeline for thousands of residents and motorists,” said WSDOT Olympic Region Administrator John Wynands. “We know closures are disruptive and we ask for the public’s patience. Maintaining the structure and its mechanical components in a state of good repair is critical to ensuring its continued operation.”

The work requires up to 12 long-term overnight closures between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., and a maximum of 20 short-term closures of up to an hour each between midnight and 4 a.m. An overnight work schedule was selected in order to minimize traffic impacts. The initial overnight closures start Saturday, March 18, continuing each night through Saturday, March 25. Additional periodic closures will be announced as dates are scheduled.

Marine vessels may be affected by this project as well. While bridge operators will still be able to open the drawspan up to 300 feet, there will be times during the project when they will not be able to open it up to its maximum 600 feet.

The project is expected to be completed in fall 2017.