SHINE – For 4 weeks in a row, the DOT has announced these 5-hour closures of the Hood Canal Bridge and then cancelled and rescheduled them. The work is now set for next week, Tuesday through Thursday nights from 11:00 until 4:00am.
So, what’s up with the repeated cancellations, and why, if the work is so weather-sensitive, are they trying to do it during the winter?
The DOT’s Doug Adamson first reminds us that the Hood Canal Bridge is unique in the world, built specifically for extremely deep water, powerful winds and strong tides. It’s a floating bridge, and has a large draw span that retracts the driving surface of the bridge to make room for boats and other marine traffic.
The current construction at the bridge bolsters the system for the draw span operations. Specifically, they have to replace thick, industrial-sized rubber bumpers.
Adamson says they planned to get this phase of the work completed last spring and summer, but supply chain issues delayed the installation. So here we are.
He says contractor crews need calm water, light winds, and favorable tides. They schedule a week ahead, and the weather hasn’t been cooperating.
BTW, this is just one phase of this year’s construction on the bridge. During summer and fall, travelers can expect up to four total weekend closures of the Hood Canal Bridge that will extend from 11 p.m. Friday to 4 a.m. Monday. Those dates have not yet been set.